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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:

  • Zebra Mussel Veliger

  • Quagga Mussel Veliger

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The adult forms of Zebra and Quagga mussel veligers.

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