The zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas, 1771) invaded the Great Lakes around 1987 or some years earlier. It spread so quickly and reached such high densities that this sessile filter feeder had an impact on these ecosystems and also became the most serious biofouling pest. In due course, zebra mussels became synonymous with invasions of aquatic nuisance species. Projects, conferences, workshops, publications, theses, proceedings, newsletters, reports and websites concerning this species became booming business. However, international books dealing exclusively with zebra mussels and their relatives are few. One of the most important books with contributions from North American as well as non-North American authors is a 810-page book edited by Thomas F. Nalepa and Donald W. Schloesser (1993) dealing with all aspects of “Zebra mussel biology, impacts and control”, summarizing the European experience and the current knowledge thus far completed from recent studies in North America. One year later, in 1994, another book (227 pages) was published by Renata Claudi and Gerald L. Mackie entitled “Practical manual for zebra mussel monitoring and control”. This practical, well-written guide was intended for engineers, technicians and operators at electric power utilities, industries and water or wastewater treatment plants. In 1997 another book appeared, edited by Frank M. D’Itri, entitled “Zebra mussels and aquatic nuisance species” (638 pages), which was, in fact, the proceedings of the Sixth International Zebra Mussel and Other Aquatic Nuisance Species Conference that was held in Dearborn, Michigan, USA in 1996.
In 1992 the Europeans also produced a book on the zebra mussel, the result of a meeting of German, Dutch and French researchers involved in studies on population dynamics, ecophysiology, ecotoxicology and biomonitoring. This book, edited by Dietrich Neumann and Henk A. Jenner, was entitled “The zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha—ecology, biological monitoring and first applications in the water quality management” (262 pages). This book emphasized the use of zebra mussels as early warning systems for water quality control and as biological filter to mitigate the effects of eutrophication and other pollution.
Why should we add a new book to the 1937 pages of information already available in these four books? We noticed that a book specific to the European experience with the zebra mussel and its relatives was lacking, in spite of the origin from and early invasions in that continent. Furthermore, we have more than10 years of additional experience with the zebra mussel since the last book was published. The last decades represent a new phase of zebra mussel invasions in Europe with range extensions towards other countries such as Ireland and Spain, as well as range extensions within countries. The latter is probably generated by increased economic and recreational activities serving as vectors for dispersal, coinciding with water quality improvement and with climate change. Another argument in support of this book is that the literature on the zebra mussel is currently so abundant and widely spread, that a new overview is long overdue in order to not become lost in the heap of publications and grey literature.
The present book provides an up-to-date overview of scientific specialists with contributions on all aspects of the zebra mussel. It includes information on fossil and recent species, distribution and dispersal, genetics, food, growth and life history, ecology and ecological impacts, endosymbionts, parasites, predation, indication for water quality and applications, biofouling and control.
We sincerely hope that the book serves the function for which it is intended and becomes a valuable addition to the literature on zebra mussels.
Gerard van der Velde, Sanjeevi Rajagopal & Abraham bij de Vaate (Eds)2010, xviii+490pp.; 2 colour plates; 21 x 29.7 cm; hardbound;
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