Banding chromosome patterns of zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas) from the heated Konin lakes system (Poland)

Abstract

The chromosome complement of freshwater mussel Dreissena polymorpha was investigated using Giemsa, Ag-NOR and chromomycin A3 staining. The diploid chromosome number of this species is 2n=32 and the arm number (NF) = 56. Nucleolar organizer region (NOR) was found on one chromosome pair and it was connected to GC rich chromatin as visualized by CMA3 staining. Additional GC-rich bands enabled to characterize zebra mussel karyotype with details. The paper presents unknown cytogenetic characteristics of this invasive mussel. © 2003 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.