Dreissena polymorpha and D. rostriformis raw microsatellite allele data

Genetic compositions and comparative diversity of zebra (Dreissena polymorpha) and quagga (D. rostriformis) mussel populations are compared across their three decade-long histories in the Hudson River and Lake Erie. We analyzed 15 nuclear DNA microsatellite loci for the zebra mussel and 10 for the quagga mussel. Results indicate that Hudson River and Lake Erie zebra mussel populations slightly diverge in genetic compositions, and have similar overall genetic diversity levels. The allelic composition of the Hudson River zebra mussel population significantly changed during the middle time period (2003), suggesting genetic replacement. Its temporal genetic diversity levels stayed similar. In contrast, the Hudson River's quagga mussel population remained genetically consistent over time in both composition and diversity. The Lake Erie zebra mussel populations displayed slight changes in allelic composition and increased in genetic diversity from the earliest timepoint, suggesting supplementation with new propagules. Populations of the quagga mussel remained genetically consistent over time in Lake Erie. The zebra mussel veliger larvae sample in 2016 differed from the adult samples, attributed to gene flow from other areas resulting in genetic admixture. Findings indicate that invasive populations may undergo significant genetic divergence or remain consistent over time, whose patterns may differ across their ranges and between related species. The population dynamics underlying their invasional success thus may be complex.