ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Invasive mussels are new threats to the environment and economy in the western United States. To better manage these pests, more techniques need to be developed. The present study shows that high turbidity levels can be aused as a‘rst response when anew water body is infected by dreissenid mussels. When quagga mussels (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) collected from Lake Mead (Nevada) were exposed to waters from Clear Lake (California) with different levels of suspended sediment, they were vulnerable. The LC50 of total suspended solids at the fourth day was estimated to be 9.9 g/L. The gill structures of these mussels were damaged by high levels of sediment suspended in the water.
