Invasive quagga mussels, which form dense aggregations that can clog water intakes and other submerged infrastructure, pose a significant threat to water and power delivery by the USBR in the Western United States. Once established in a water body, invasive mussels dramatically increase operations and maintenance costs for facilities, as well as having other economic impacts. One of the most significant challenges associated with quagga mussels is that, at present, no practicable approaches exist to eliminate, or even control, mussel populations in open water once they have become established. A major impediment to developing new control technologies is that relatively little is yet know about quagga mussel biology, particularly in regards to their genome. Sequencing the quagga mussel genome will allow identification of vulnerabilities that can be targeted for control measures through integrated pest management. The proposed research will sequence and assemble the genome of the quagga mussel. Availability of the quagga mussel genome sequence will provide a valuable toolkit for understanding the biology of this invasive organism and developing control techniques. Having the quagga genome will provide insight into fundamental aspects of quagga biology, such as the basis of sex determination, regulation of reproduction, and chemical attractants and deterrents. Targeted control techniques, such as genome editing with CRISPR/Cas9 would only effect quagga mussels, and could not spread to other organisms in the environment.
