How does the colonization pattern of the quagga mussel differ from the substrate-dependent zebra mussel?
Answer
Quagga mussels can live unattached on soft bottoms
A key distinction between the two invasive species lies in their preferred microhabitats when both are present. The zebra mussel is strictly substrate-dependent, needing hard surfaces. In contrast, the quagga mussel (*Dreissena rostriformis bugensis*) is physically flatter and exhibits a greater ability to colonize softer sediments, sometimes residing unattached directly on the lake bottom. This difference in substrate preference means quaggas can lead to denser concentrations of biomass in the benthic zone, often deeper than where zebra mussels typically aggregate.
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