Evaluation of freshwater mussel relocation as a conservation and management strategy

The relocation of unionacean mussels is commonly used as a conservation and management tool in large rivers and streams. Relocation has been used to recolonize areas where mussel populations have been eliminated by prior pollution events, to remove mussels from construction zones and to re-establish populations of endangered species. More recently, relocation has been used to protect native freshwater mussels from colonization by the exotic zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha. We conducted a literature review of mussel relocations and evaluated their relative success as a conservation and management strategy. We found that 43% of all relocations were conducted because of construction projects that were forced to comply with the Endangered Species Act 1973 and that only 16% were monitored for five or more consecutive years. Most (43%) relocation projects were conducted from July to September, presumably a period when reproductive stress is relatively low for most species and the metabolic rate is sufficient for reburrowing in the substrate. The mortality of relocated mussels was unreported in 27% of projects; reported mortality varied widely among projects and species and was difficult to assess. The mean mortality of relocated mussels was 49% based on an average recovery rate of 43%. There is little guidance on the methods for relocation or for monitoring the subsequent long-term status of relocated mussels. Based on this evaluation, research is needed to develop criteria for selecting a suitable relocation site and to establish appropriate methods and guidelines for conducting relocation projects.     

Evaluation of single and two‐stage adaptive sampling designs for estimation of density and abundance of freshwater mussels in a large river

Reliable estimates of abundance are needed to assess consequences of proposed habitat restoration and enhancement projects on freshwater mussels in the Upper Mississippi River (UMR). Although there is general guidance on sampling techniques for population assessment of freshwater mussels, the actual performance of sampling designs can depend critically on the population density and spatial distribution at the project site. To evaluate various sampling designs, we simulated sampling of populations, which varied in density and degree of spatial clustering. Because of logistics and costs of large river sampling and spatial clustering of freshwater mussels, we focused on adaptive and non‐adaptive versions of single and two‐stage sampling. The candidate designs performed similarly in terms of precision (CV) and probability of species detection for fixed sample size. Both CV and species detection were determined largely by density, spatial distribution and sample size. However, designs did differ in the rate that occupied quadrats were encountered. Occupied units had a higher probability of selection using adaptive designs than conventional designs. We used two measures of cost: sample size (i.e. number of quadrats) and distance travelled between the quadrats. Adaptive and two‐stage designs tended to reduce distance between sampling units, and thus performed better when distance travelled was considered. Based on the comparisons, we provide general recommendations on the sampling designs for the freshwater mussels in the UMR, and presumably other large rivers. Published in 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Impact of Round Goby Predation on Zebra Mussel Size Distribution at Calumet Harbor,Lake Michigan

The size distribution of zebra mussels atop (exposed to predation) and beneath (protected from predation) rocks were compared at a round goby infested site (Calumet Harbor, IL/IN) and round goby-free site (Evanston, IL) in southern Lake Michigan. The largest zebra mussels were atop rocks at both sites and those from Calumet Harbor were significantly larger than those from Evanston. The smallest zebra mussels were beneath the rocks at both sites and those from Calumet Harbor were smaller than those from Evanston. Nearly all zebra mussels from Calumet Harbor rock tops were larger than the size range preferred by round gobies in published laboratory experiments. Conversely, most of the zebra mussels from rock tops from Evanston were within the size range preferred by round gobies. In a field experiment, glass sheets colonized with zebra mussels from Evanston rock tops were exposed to round goby predation. Predation was videotaped to determine what size zebra mussels were eaten by round gobies. Smaller zebra mussels were consumed more frequently and surviving zebra mussels were either very large or had refuge in the space between larger zebra mussels. The study showed that more effort is required to remove larger zebra mussels than smaller zebra mussels. The results indicate that, while round gobies prefer smaller zebra mussels, the underside of rocks, as well as proximity to larger zebra mussels, can provide refuge for the smaller zebra mussels. Hence round gobies are unlikely to totally remove zebra mussels from a habitat and their impact will likely vary between habitats.     

潘口工程库区田家坝镇迁建规划设计

田家坝镇是潘口水电站库区最大的移民搬迁集镇,由于该电站的建设,田家坝集镇将被淹没,须整体搬迁。为了搞好移民安置工作,对迁建新址作了系统规划,包括集镇规划思路、规模、结构、绿地系统设计、建筑设计和防灾规划等。通过规划方案的实施,2010年完成了集镇迁建工作。从规划、建设情况来看,达到了规划设计目标。     

Analysis of Factors Affecting Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) Growth in Saginaw Bay: A GIS-Based Modeling Approach

A statistical model was developed using a Geographical Information System (GIS) to investigate the spatial relationships between limnological variables and the growth of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron, as defined by the change in biomass over a specified time. The presence of suitable substrate was an important factor for zebra mussel habitat, making inner Saginaw Bay an area of high mussel abundance. Temperature, phytoplankton biomass (measured as chlorophyll a), and total suspended solids (TSS) as food particles were considered to be the most important limnological variables affecting growth of zebra mussels. Three layers of attributes were developed from these variables, and were overlaid in a GIS environment according to their respective weighting factors, which were calculated in statistical analysis of spatially-matched data. The model results showed that chlorophyll a contributed the most to mussels’ growth. The effect of chlorophyll a on Dreissena growth was 9 times more important than that of temperature. The shallow portions of the inner bay and the areas in proximity to the shorelines were found to be the most suitable growth regions. A comparison of model predictions with field data on growth of mussels at various spatial locations of the inner bay demonstrated the value of this model. In addition, the model was field-tested for temporal variation in the rate of change of Dreissena biomass at one sampling station where data were available. The developed GIS-based statistical model provides a rapid, objective, reliable and cost effective tool to prioritize locations of Dreissena growth.     

The influence of light,substrate, and fish on the habitat preferences of the invasive bloody red shrimp,Hemimysis anomala

The invasive bloody red shrimp, Hemimysis anomala, is a novel organism in the Laurentian Great Lakes region that utilizes benthic and open-water habitat. Hemimysis is predicted to impact nearshore fish communities in the Northeastern USA where its range is expanding, either negatively through predation of shared zooplankton prey or positively as high-calorie prey. In this experimental study, we examined the factors influencing Hemimysis’ benthic habitat selection, vertical distribution, and susceptibility to fish predation. In the presence of fish cues, Hemimysis preferred cobble over other benthic substrates (Dreissena mussels, pebble, or sand) regardless of light conditions; in dark conditions without a fish present, Hemimysis preferred open waters with sand habitat. Light and fish cues also interacted to influence the vertical distribution of Hemimysis, with the majority of mysids selecting depths that minimized perceived cumulative risk. The mean feeding rates of young-of-year (YOY) alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus), adult round goby (Neogobius melanostomus), YOY yellow perch (Perca flavescens), adult pumpkinseed sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus), and YOY lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) varied among species, prey densities, and substrate (range = 0.77–57 mysids/fish/h). In general, feeding rates were highest for alewife, a non-native species in the Great Lakes basin, and in refuge-free conditions for all species, except for non-native round goby, which fed at similar rates regardless of prey refuge availability. Collectively, our results suggest that fish feeding success is contingent upon the interaction of light and Hemimysis refuge availability due to behavioral modifications of Hemimysis in the presence of fish and adverse light conditions.     

Explaining Spatial Patterns of Mussel Beds in a Northern California River: The Role of Flood Disturbance and Spawning Salmon

Despite considerable effort, predicting habitat preferences for freshwater mussels has remained elusive. This study identified four parameters that correlate with bed stability to decipher fine‐scale spatial patterning of habitat use by the western pearl shell mussel (Margaritifera falcata) in the Trinity River of Northern California. Logistic regression analysis correctly predicted the occurrence of 83% of mussel bed areas based on water depth, velocity, substrate size, and distance to the stream bank as estimated from hydrodynamic modelling of low‐flow conditions. These parameters coincide with bed stability at high flow and provide support for the ‘refugia hypothesis’. Our data clearly demonstrate that mussel beds occupied the most stable portions of the riverbed; however, habitat was partitioned with one of their primary host fish, Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), a species that also requires stable bed areas for spawning. Mussels occupied significantly deeper and lower velocity areas that were closer to the streambank compared with spawning salmon, but where habitats directly overlapped (30% of potential mussel habitat) mussels were excluded because the act of spawning disturbs the riverbed. By necessity, mussels and salmon must co‐exist, but results of this study indicate that they compete for stable bed areas that may be limiting in dynamic river systems. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Habitat suitability of golden mahseer young ones (Tor putitora,Hamilton 1822) in Himalayan waters,India

Habitat suitability refers to the mechanism that enables organisms to choose suitable habitats to survive. In the present study, we studied the habitat suitability of young golden mahseer (fingerlings and juveniles) in the streams of the Ramganga River, one of the prominent rivers of the western Himalaya. Different habitat types and microhabitat features were documented. Habitat suitability was evaluated by generating habitat suitability criteria curves in response to varying habitat availability and use by young golden mahseer during different seasons. Generalised linear modelling (GLM) was used to analyse environmental characteristics responsible for selecting golden mahseer habitats. We studied mahseer based on body size into two main classes, that is, fingerlings (1.5–10 cm) and juveniles (10–30 cm). Golden mahseer fingerlings preferred mean depth (0.1–0.6 m) and mean stream velocity (0–0.2 m/s) at stream reach dominated by diverse substrate compositions such as sand, gravel, and small cobbles. Similarly, juveniles preferred mean depth (0.1–1.5 m) and mean water velocity (0.1–0.5 m/s), with cobbles, bedrock, and sand dominating their habitats. The GLM results indicated that dissolved oxygen, temperature, and water velocity were the significant factors influencing habitat suitability. High dissolved oxygen positively influenced fingerlings, whereas moderate to high water velocity affected juveniles the most. Therefore, to understand the flow requirement for threatened species like golden mahseer, it is essential to characterise critical habitats and develop criteria based on habitat suitability curves.     

Quagga mussels (Dreissena bugensis) as biomonitors of metal contamination: A case study in the upper St. Lawrence River

In this study, the utility of quagga mussels (Dreissena bugensis) as biomonitors was investigated by measuring total concentrations of three trace metals, cadmium, copper, and zinc, in soft tissues. Quagga mussels were sampled from five sites along the upper St. Lawrence River, including one industrially influenced site, from 1999 through 2007. Mussels were collected from near-shore areas, divided into 5 size classes based on maximum shell length, and tissues were pooled for analysis of each size group. Two-way analysis of variance and a posteriori range tests were used to test for differences among sites along a distance gradient from the outflow of Lake Ontario and to examine inter-annual variability within and among sites. Cadmium concentrations were higher nearer the outflow of the lake. Copper concentrations varied among sites and years, but were generally highest near the industrial site. Zinc concentrations were relatively uniform, possibly reflecting internal regulation. Animal size measured as shell length was not an important factor in this section of the river, but warrants further consideration in a wider range of ecosystems and contaminant exposure levels. In general, concentrations of the three metals were not high compared to reports in the published literature for dreissenid mussels in contaminated environments. However, few studies have utilized quagga mussels rather than zebra mussels. The two species may differ in bioaccumulation patterns and may not be interchangeable as biomonitors. Further studies of bioaccumulation of contaminants by quagga mussels in a wider range of contaminant exposures would be useful particularly as quagga mussels displace zebra mussels in the Laurentian Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River.     

Quagga mussel (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) selective feeding of phytoplankton in Saginaw Bay

Experiments from May to December measuring selective grazing and egestion of different phytoplankton taxa in natural Saginaw Bay (Lake Huron) seston by shallow-water morph quagga mussels (Dreissena bugensis rostriformis) showed that the mussels were highly selective filter feeders and that their net clearance rates on different species ranged widely, resulting in food consumption that was strongly driven by seasonal phytoplankton dynamics. Overall, net clearance rates by quagga mussels on the entire phytoplankton assemblage were similar to those observed for zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) during the 1990s. Phytoplankton taxon, rather than size, was more important to food selection since quagga mussels cleared similar sized but different species of algae at very different rates. In contrast to many studies with zebra mussels, larger-sized algae such as Dinobryon divergens, Aulacoseira italica, Fragilaria crotonensis, and Anabaena were cleared at high rates and rejected at lower rates than many smaller species within the same broad taxonomic group. We suspect that these differences between dreissenid species do not stem from species differences but methodological factors and phytoplankton composition of systems studied. Small-sized diatoms, green algae with thick cell walls (Scenedesmus and Oocystis), and colonial cyanobacteria with gelatinous sheaths (Aphanocapsa, Chroococcus, and Microcystis) were cleared at low rates and rejected in high proportion in pseudofeces or feces during all seasons. We describe the likely mechanisms of pre- and post-ingestive behavior that explain these differences, which relate to phytoplankton size, morphology, cell wall characteristics, and chemical composition. Changes in the Great Lakes phytoplankton communities are consistent with mussel grazing preferences.     

Density and habitat use by the round goby (Apollonia melanostoma) in the Bay of Quinte,Lake Ontario

We assessed round goby (Apollonia melanostoma) density and size structure in two sections of the Bay of Quinte (Lake Ontario) that had been invaded by this species two years apart. Round goby density was assessed with 50 m linear transects, recorded with an underwater video recording apparatus developed for this study that included a depth sounder for maintaining a fixed distance above the substrate. The highest mean round goby densities were observed in the shallowest depth zone (1.5–3 m) at both sites, but there were differences between the sites in the habitat types where the highest densities occurred and there were no significant density differences among habitat types at either site (rock with sparse vegetation, mud with sparse vegetation, sand/mud with moderate vegetation cover). In the upper bay, mean body length of round gobies declined with depth, whereas in the lower bay, mean round goby length was greatest in the deepest zone. Mean body length of round gobies did not differ significantly by habitat type in either section of the bay.     

Do Alluvial Sand Dunes Create Energetic Refugia for Benthic Fishes? An Experimental Test with the Endangered Pallid Sturgeon

River modifications have altered critical habitats for fishes at a variety of spatial scales and caused global declines of many fluvial species. At small spatial scales (<1 m²), alluvial sand dunes, a ubiquitous habitat in highly modified rivers, are thought to provide energetic relief for benthic fishes in energetically costly riverine landscapes created by water flow. However, use of alluvial dune habitat is not well understood, and it is unclear whether dunes provide refuge that effectively reduces energetic costs. We designed a scale‐relevant experiment to examine the energetic responses associated with sand dune habitat in rivers. We tested whether the US federally endangered pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus ), a benthic fish commonly associated with sand dunes, experienced reduced energetic costs with different configurations of simulated sand dune habitat. We quantified mass specific oxygen consumption (M O₂; mg O₂ kg^?1 h^?1) using intermittent flow‐through respirometry for age‐0 sturgeon (140–170 mm) in front of a sand dune, behind a sand dune and in the absence of a sand dune at two velocities (25 and 50 cm s^?1) commonly observed in field studies of sturgeon habitat use. Sturgeon displayed distinct station holding behaviours for each habitat configuration. Dune location did not affect energy expenditure, but sturgeon M O₂ was on average 16–20% higher in the absence of a sand dune depending on dune configuration. M O₂ was on average 14% higher at 50 cm s^?1 compared with 25 cm s^?1. Our results provide a potential mechanism for over two decades of research on why sturgeon and other benthic fishes exhibit selection for sand dune habitat in large rivers. Fishes that select main channel habitats may depend on energetic relief provided by sand dunes, especially when other forms of structure are not available. For this reason, alluvial sand dune habitat may be important to the persistence of benthic fishes in high flow environments. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Linking emergent midges to alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) preference for rocky habitat in Lake Michigan littoral zones

Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) abundance and condition are in decline in Lake Michigan, where they not only exert negative effects on several native fish species but also support an economically valuable salmon sport fishery. We investigated feeding-related habitat selection for adult alewives occurring in Lake Michigan's littoral zone by comparing the relative abundance of alewives and non-biting midges (Chironomidae) on littoral rocky and sandy habitats. Both alewives and midges strongly favored hard over soft substrate, with approximately 22 and 23 times greater catch rates on rock than sand, respectively, from June through August 2005. Relative to sand, 92.2% of alewives and 94.8% of emergent midges were captured over rocky habitat. Gut content analysis suggested that the supplement of midge pupae created a benefit for alewives on rocky habitat and that midge emergence may be the basis for rocky habitat selection. Alewife consumption of midge pupae correlated with midge emergence events, frequency occurrence of midges in ale wife diets was significantly greater on rocky habitat, and alewives collected over sand were 1.5 times more likely to have empty stomachs than those collected over rocks. Our results indicate that alewives, the dominant pelagic forage fish in Lake Michigan, are seasonally encountered in littoral rocky communities, where midges are an important seasonal component of alewife diet.     

Using habitat guilds to develop habitat suitability criteria for a warmwater stream fish assemblage

The diversity of fish species found in warmwater stream systems provides a perplexing challenge when selecting species for assessment of instream flow needs from physical habitat analyses. In this paper we examined the feasibility of developing habitat suitability criteria (HSC) for the entire fish community of a warmwater stream using habitat guilds. Each species was placed a priori into a guild structure and habitat data were collected for depth, velocity, Froude number, distance to cover, embeddedness and dominant and subdominant substrate. Correct guild classification was tested with linear discriminant analysis for each species. Correct classification based on habitat‐use data was highest for riffle and pool‐cover guilds, whereas the fast‐generalist and pool‐run classes, the broader niche guilds, were more frequently misclassified. Variables most important for discriminating guilds were Froude number, velocity and depth in that order. Nonparametric tolerance limits were used to develop guild suitability criteria for continuous variables and the Strauss linear index was used for categorical variables. We recommend the use of a wide array of variables to establish more accurate habitat analysis. Additionally, guild HSC can be developed with similar effort to that needed to develop HSC for a small number of individual species. Results indicate that a habitat guild structure can be successfully transferred to another river basin and that habitats for a diverse fish assemblage can be adequately described by a small number of habitat guilds. This approach represents an alternative for incorporating entire fish assemblages into habitat analyses of warmwater stream systems. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparison of MesoHABSIM with two microhabitat models (PHABSIM and HARPHA)

This study demonstrates how using different habitat models can influence the results of instream habitat assessment and conclusions for river management. We used three models for a portion of the Quinebaug River (Connecticut and Massachusetts, USA): a simplistic microhabitat model with univariate habitat‐use criteria and substrate‐based channel index (the Physical Habitat Simulation Model (PHABSIM)); a microhabitat model using multivariate criteria including a wide range of cover attributes (HARPHA); and a mesohabitat model with multivariate habitat‐suitability criteria (MesoHABSIM). The flow‐habitat rating curves produced by each model were compared at two scales: site and study segment. To investigate the impact of model choice on answering questions such as which location or flow provides more habitat, we applied Spearman's correlation of ranks. The relationship between habitat‐suitability predictions and fish presence at the same location was investigated with dedicated fish observations. The study showed that: (1) of the tested models, only MesoHABSIM predictions correlated with fish observations; (2) the variation within microscale models (PHABSIM and HARPHA) was greater than between micro‐and mesoscale models (HARPHA and MesoHABSIM); and (3) simple univariate habitat‐use criteria provided the largest source of discrepancies among the models. We suggest that these differences may lead to erroneous conclusions, especially if flow‐habitat rating curve analysis is considered an endpoint of instream flow study. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Scaling Down Habitat Selection by Large River Fishes to Understand Patterns Relevant to Individuals

Modification and homogenization of habitat in large‐river ecosystems have led to the reduction of >50% of native fish species. Rehabilitating these complex ecosystems to recover fish populations requires an understanding of habitat availability and selection at multiple scales. Habitat selection by river fishes is typically assessed at the functional unit scale (100–10 000 m²). For example, in large, sand‐dominated rivers of the Central USA, alluvial islands are critical functional units for endangered sturgeon. Functional units, however, can be subdivided into mesohabitats (<100 m²), but very little is known about mesohabitat selection by large river fishes. We evaluated the mesohabitat selection of the federally endangered pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) and more abundant shovelnose sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus) experimentally. We tested for selection among four common mesohabitat types that are nested within alluvial island complexes: (1) sand‐only substratum with no structure; (2) sand substratum with a sand dune structure; (3) sand substratum with simulated vegetation; and (4) a gravel‐only substratum. Sturgeon selected for the sand substratum, structureless mesohabitat, followed by the mesohabitat with a sand dune. Vegetated habitat retained less sturgeon than these two habitats but more than the gravel mesohabitat. Age‐0 pallid sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon almost completely avoided gravel substrate, perhaps because of increased energetic costs associated with turbulent benthic flow. We posit that age‐0 sturgeon may prefer the sand and sand dune habitats over the vegetation and gravel habitats because flow may be more linear (or unidirectional) and predictable in these habitat types, whereas vegetation and gravel can create substantial benthic turbulence. Lastly, shovelnose sturgeon were on average denser in vegetated habitat than pallid sturgeon. Scaled to the population level, patterns revealed here could have implications for the macro‐distribution of both species. Restoration efforts may want to consider selection differences in the management of these two species and rehabilitation of riverine habitats. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Sensitivity to aerial exposure: potential of system-wide drawdowns to manage zebra mussels in the Mississippi River

We report the results of five experiments performed during periods of lowered river water level in Pool 26 of the Mississippi River. Four experiments compared survivorship of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) and unionid mussels (Unionidae). Under mild spring conditions (March), survivorship of zebra mussels was similar to that of unionid mussels, but during summer (July) survivorship of zebra mussels was lower than that of unionid mussels. Survivorship of zebra mussels was greatest when attached to native unionids, compared with detached zebra mussels and zebra mussels attached rocks. A fifth experiment compared survivorship of 10 species of unionid mussels after 24 hours of aerial exposure. In general, survivorship of thick-shelled species, such as Amblema plicata, was greater than survivorship of thin-shelled species, such as Potamilus ohiensis. The experiments conducted suggest that drawdowns during warm summer conditions could have a profound, negative influence on zebra mussel demography and distribution. In contrast, unionid mussel survival was unaffected by aerial exposure of up to 24 hours during a midsummer drawdown. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Non-native Dreissena associated with increased native benthic community abundance with greater lake depth

Although the typical interaction between non-native invasive species and native species is considered to be negative, in some cases, non-native species may facilitate native species. Zebra and quagga mussels (Dreissena spp.) are aggressive invaders in freshwater systems, and they can alter energy flow by diverting nutrients from pelagic to benthic food-webs. In the last two decades, quagga mussels have largely replaced zebra mussels in shallow regions of the Laurentian Great Lakes and colonized deeper waters previously devoid of all dreissenids. Here, we aim to characterize potential positive effects of dreissenids in relation to depth on the benthic community in lakes Michigan and Huron. For this study, we used benthic survey data collected from Lake Michigan in 2015 and Lake Huron in 2017 and annual U.S. EPA Great Lakes National Program Office Long-term Biology Monitoring Program data for both lakes from 1998 to 2019. Benthic species richness and abundance (excluding dreissenids) in both lakes were almost three-fold higher in the nearshore (<70 m) compared to offshore (>70 m) communities. We found that, even though abundance of benthic invertebrates decreased with increased depth, total benthos density and biomass were higher in the presence than in the absence of quagga mussels in both lakes. Moreover, increased quagga mussel density and biomass with depth offset the lower benthos density and biomass at deeper depths, and samples with dreissenids had high densities of oligochaetes in both nearshore and offshore communities. These patterns are consistent with facilitative effects of quagga mussels on both shallow and deep-water benthic communities.     

Lakewide dominance does not predict the potential for spread of dreissenids

In recent years, quagga mussels (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) have almost completely replaced zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) in the Lower Great Lakes. As recreational boats are the main vector of spread for dreissenids in North America, this study examined whether lakes Erie and Ontario could still be sources for the spread of zebra mussels. In the summer–fall of 2010, the abundance of each species of Dreissena on 196 boats from 5 marinas in lakes Erie and Ontario was examined. Additional samples of Dreissena in 2010–2012 were collected in tributaries, bays, and in the upper littoral zones of these lakes. A total of 77 boats were fouled by Dreissena, and of those 61 were fouled by both species, 13 were fouled just by zebra mussels, and only 3 were fouled solely by quagga mussels. Although quagga mussels compose ~ 99% of dreissenids in eastern Lake Erie and in Lake Ontario, on boats at most marinas sampled, zebra mussels were usually more abundant and significantly larger than quagga mussels. Refugia for zebra mussels were found in bays, tributaries, and upper littoral zones with high wave activity. Thus, although quagga mussels are now more abundant than zebra mussels within the Lower Great Lakes, these waterbodies still have the potential to be a source for the spread of zebra mussels, and for some vectors, the propagule pressure from zebra mussels is likely greater than that from quagga mussels.