Data from: Physiological effects of interacting native and invasive bivalves under thermal stress

Across many ecosystems in North America and Europe, native freshwater
bivalves (Order Unionida) are threatened by fouling and competition for
food by the invasive zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha. In light
of climate change, knowledge on the influence of water temperature on
these competitive effects is important, yet poorly understood. This study
examines the physiological impact of the interaction between D.
polymorpha and the native European unionid Anodonta cygnea over a 28-day
period in response to water temperatures of 12, 19, and 25 °C by comparing
their glycogen, glucose, lipid, and protein concentrations. The laboratory
experiment comprised three treatments: (1) fouling of A. cygnea by D.
polymorpha, (2) both species present but not fouling; and (3) a control in
which A. cygnea and D. polymorpha were placed separately.
Increased water temperatures caused physiological stress in D. polymorpha
as evident from reduced glycogen, glucose, lipid, and protein
concentrations. Dreissena polymorpha benefited from fouling of unionids,
as individuals that fouled A. cygnea tended to have increased glycogen,
glucose, lipid and protein concentrations. Competitive effects
of D. polymorpha over the unionid bivalve species, however, were
not intensified by elevated temperatures. Glochidia release, lower
infestation intensity, and physiological stress of Dreissena at
higher temperatures were likely confounding factors. The results of this
study suggest that understanding the physiological consequences of species
interactions at changing temperatures can be an important tool to assess
future climate change impacts on freshwater bivalves and aquatic
community structures.