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Evaluating Dreissenid Mussel Detection Probabilities and Sampling Effort Across the Western United States (309978)

Keywords: occupancy models, multi-season occupancy models, invasive species, dreissenid mussels, ecological statistics

Zebra and quagga mussels, or dreissenid mussels collectively, are invasive species that attach to aquatic structures, substrate, or native mussels in water bodies – resulting in both environmental and economic repercussions. Preventing the spread of these invasive mussels is of high importance because their impacts can be irreversible. As a result, early detection has become a priority, especially as these species spread further west across the United States. The standard for early detection of dreissenids in the western United States is plankton tow sampling for mussel veligers; however as new methods, such as environmental DNA (eDNA), arise as alternative methods for early detection, there is incentive to explore the relative efficiency of plankton tow sampling. Using multi-season occupancy models, we explore the relationship between water quality covariates and the probability of detecting dreissenid mussel veligers. Subsequently, we use those probabilities to evaluate the current sampling effort and make recommendations for future sampling for dreissenid mussel veligers.