Photogrammetric assessment of quagga mussel growth shows no winter cessation in lake Geneva

Abstract The quagga mussel (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) is an invasive alien species present in many aquatic ecosystems. Although this species is known for its ecological and economic impacts, there are still significant gaps in our knowledge of its ecophysiology. This is particularly true when...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Erwin Reymondet, Jonathan Grimond, Jean-Nicolas Beisel, Stéphan Jacquet
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-03-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-93064-8
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849774718126653440
author Erwin Reymondet
Jonathan Grimond
Jean-Nicolas Beisel
Stéphan Jacquet
author_facet Erwin Reymondet
Jonathan Grimond
Jean-Nicolas Beisel
Stéphan Jacquet
author_sort Erwin Reymondet
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The quagga mussel (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) is an invasive alien species present in many aquatic ecosystems. Although this species is known for its ecological and economic impacts, there are still significant gaps in our knowledge of its ecophysiology. This is particularly true when its growth rate under natural conditions is considered. Using a photogrammetry-based approach, we assessed bivalve growth in Lake Geneva during different seasons and for a variety of habitats. Based on the recorded changes in maximum shell length analysed during the period of this study (winter and spring 2023–2024), we measured average growth rates ranging from 0.142 ± 0.099 mm day−1 for individuals smaller than 10 mm to 0.089 ± 0.071 mm day−1 for larger individuals. The size class-dependent growth rate was analysed on the basis of the time of year, the type of environment (depth, substrate) or, again, the temperature. Our results reveal that the growth rate, obtained in situ and without manipulation, primarily depends on size and is independent of temperature or habitat within the studied range. This growth capacity in Lake Geneva is the highest found to date and is likely to explain the invasion success of this species.
format Article
id doaj-art-a4fd0bedc23946f0874a23db0e8c5d1d
institution DOAJ
issn 2045-2322
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series Scientific Reports
spelling doaj-art-a4fd0bedc23946f0874a23db0e8c5d1d2025-08-20T03:01:38ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-03-011511910.1038/s41598-025-93064-8Photogrammetric assessment of quagga mussel growth shows no winter cessation in lake GenevaErwin Reymondet0Jonathan Grimond1Jean-Nicolas Beisel2Stéphan Jacquet3Université Savoie Mont Blanc, INRAE, CARRTELSubbear studiesENGEES, LIVEUniversité Savoie Mont Blanc, INRAE, CARRTELAbstract The quagga mussel (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) is an invasive alien species present in many aquatic ecosystems. Although this species is known for its ecological and economic impacts, there are still significant gaps in our knowledge of its ecophysiology. This is particularly true when its growth rate under natural conditions is considered. Using a photogrammetry-based approach, we assessed bivalve growth in Lake Geneva during different seasons and for a variety of habitats. Based on the recorded changes in maximum shell length analysed during the period of this study (winter and spring 2023–2024), we measured average growth rates ranging from 0.142 ± 0.099 mm day−1 for individuals smaller than 10 mm to 0.089 ± 0.071 mm day−1 for larger individuals. The size class-dependent growth rate was analysed on the basis of the time of year, the type of environment (depth, substrate) or, again, the temperature. Our results reveal that the growth rate, obtained in situ and without manipulation, primarily depends on size and is independent of temperature or habitat within the studied range. This growth capacity in Lake Geneva is the highest found to date and is likely to explain the invasion success of this species.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-93064-8Lake GenevaInvasive alien species(quagga) musselGrowth ratePhotogrammetry
spellingShingle Erwin Reymondet
Jonathan Grimond
Jean-Nicolas Beisel
Stéphan Jacquet
Photogrammetric assessment of quagga mussel growth shows no winter cessation in lake Geneva
Scientific Reports
Lake Geneva
Invasive alien species
(quagga) mussel
Growth rate
Photogrammetry
title Photogrammetric assessment of quagga mussel growth shows no winter cessation in lake Geneva
title_full Photogrammetric assessment of quagga mussel growth shows no winter cessation in lake Geneva
title_fullStr Photogrammetric assessment of quagga mussel growth shows no winter cessation in lake Geneva
title_full_unstemmed Photogrammetric assessment of quagga mussel growth shows no winter cessation in lake Geneva
title_short Photogrammetric assessment of quagga mussel growth shows no winter cessation in lake Geneva
title_sort photogrammetric assessment of quagga mussel growth shows no winter cessation in lake geneva
topic Lake Geneva
Invasive alien species
(quagga) mussel
Growth rate
Photogrammetry
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-93064-8
work_keys_str_mv AT erwinreymondet photogrammetricassessmentofquaggamusselgrowthshowsnowintercessationinlakegeneva
AT jonathangrimond photogrammetricassessmentofquaggamusselgrowthshowsnowintercessationinlakegeneva
AT jeannicolasbeisel photogrammetricassessmentofquaggamusselgrowthshowsnowintercessationinlakegeneva
AT stephanjacquet photogrammetricassessmentofquaggamusselgrowthshowsnowintercessationinlakegeneva