Ekologija školjkaša Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas, 1771)

Dreissena polymorpha, a species of small freshwater mussel, was described 1771 by biologist Peter Pallas. High growth rate troughout life, elevated fecundity, and short life span make D. plymorpha a highly invasive species. This mussel can cause changes in freshwater communities and economic damage to man-made structures. Human activity has strongly influenced D. polymorpha distribution. Originally endemic to the basins of the Black and Caspian Seas, is one of most commonly occurring mussel species in the large rivers, lakes and canals of Europe and North America. D. polymorpha was not found in lakes with average pH values bellow 7.3 and concentrations of calcium bellow 28.3 mg/L. They are a number of natural predators of zebra mussel, like fish and waterfowl. Zebra mussels clean the waters of inland lakes, resulting in increase sunlight penetration and growth of native algae. Chlorination is the most effective and commonly used method of mussel control in Europe, Asia and North America.