Long-term dynamics of freshwater mussel (Unionidae) populations in the freshwater tidal Hudson River, New York, in response to the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) invasion, 1991-2017

The purpose of this study was to document the responses of native freshwater mussels (Unionidae) to the invasion of the non-native zebra mussel in the freshwater tidal Hudson River, New York. Datasets included here are annual data on the population density, shell lengths, body mass, and fouling (i.e., number of zebra mussels attached to each unionid) of all unionid species in the river. Samples were collected at 44 stations deployed in a stratified random design, allowing inferences to be made at the scale of the entire 150 square kilometer river. Samples were taken with a standard PONAR grab (23 x 23 cm), sieved in the field through a 2.8 mm mesh brass sieve, and sorted in the laboratory to remove all bivalves. Sampling began in 1991, before the outbreak of the zebra mussel population late in 1992, and continued until 2017.