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Mussel Larvae
Distinguishing Features: Their shells are transparent with visible internal structures
Size: 40-500 microns in length
Swimming Behavior: They use cilia to propel them
Diet: Mainly nutrients found in the egg and organisms caught using cilia
Life Stages: There are generally 2 larval stages before reaching adulthood as mussels with hard shells
Fun Fact: Veligers are the larval form of mussels
Taxonomic Groups Observed in Seneca Lake:
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Zebra Mussel Veliger
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Quagga Mussel Veliger
The adult forms of Zebra and Quagga mussel veligers.
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