Planktonic larvae of the invasive bivalves Dreissena spp. and Limnoperna fortunei: review of their effects on freshwater communities

Dreissena polymorpha, Dreissena rostriformis bugensis, and Limnoperna fortunei are considered among the most invasive freshwater mussels. The three species share several biological and ecological traits, resulting in often similar effects on the ecosystems. Their planktonic larvae (“veligers” s.l.) can be a dominant component of the summer zooplankton community. The development from fertilized egg to juvenile normally takes 10–20 days, but only < 1–3