The Ricciardians
@ricciardilab.bsky.social
Official Bluesky account for the Ricciardi Lab @ McGill University. 🌊🐠🐚🤿🔬Ecology of lakes & rivers | Aquatic invertebrates | Freshwater fishes | Invasive species | Climate change | PI: ecoinvasions.bsky.social
#bioinvasions #limnology #biodiversity
#bioinvasions #limnology #biodiversity
The Conversation: The westward spread of zebra and quagga mussels shows how tiny invaders can cause big problems.
www.havasunews.com/the-conversa...
www.havasunews.com/the-conversa...
November 27, 2025 at 8:01 AM
The Conversation: The westward spread of zebra and quagga mussels shows how tiny invaders can cause big problems.
www.havasunews.com/the-conversa...
www.havasunews.com/the-conversa...
We tested effects of warming & environmentally-relevant concentrations of microplastics (MP) on the growth & feeding of fish. We found that MP had weaker effects than thermal stress, but high MP concentration reduced feeding regardless of temperature: aslopubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
November 16, 2025 at 4:29 AM
We tested effects of warming & environmentally-relevant concentrations of microplastics (MP) on the growth & feeding of fish. We found that MP had weaker effects than thermal stress, but high MP concentration reduced feeding regardless of temperature: aslopubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
We studied the distribution & abundance of microplastics (aMP) in the upper St. Lawrence River. Mean concentrations were among the highest recorded for any aquatic system. We identifed environmental variables that influenced MP distribution across the river bed:
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
November 16, 2025 at 4:21 AM
We studied the distribution & abundance of microplastics (aMP) in the upper St. Lawrence River. Mean concentrations were among the highest recorded for any aquatic system. We identifed environmental variables that influenced MP distribution across the river bed:
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Trophic & non-trophic interactions determine the fate of microplastics in freshwater benthic communities. We proposed a community module approach (involving commonly interacting species) as a useful expt'l tool for understanding microplastic transfer & uptake: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
November 16, 2025 at 4:15 AM
Trophic & non-trophic interactions determine the fate of microplastics in freshwater benthic communities. We proposed a community module approach (involving commonly interacting species) as a useful expt'l tool for understanding microplastic transfer & uptake: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Why microplastics should be routinely sampled by limnologists.
No environmental field survey that has searched for microplastics has yet failed to detect their presence. They are omnipresent in the water column, in the sediments, and in aquatic food webs.
Read our review paper:
t.co/E6BCVtgVbi
No environmental field survey that has searched for microplastics has yet failed to detect their presence. They are omnipresent in the water column, in the sediments, and in aquatic food webs.
Read our review paper:
t.co/E6BCVtgVbi
November 16, 2025 at 4:11 AM
Why microplastics should be routinely sampled by limnologists.
No environmental field survey that has searched for microplastics has yet failed to detect their presence. They are omnipresent in the water column, in the sediments, and in aquatic food webs.
Read our review paper:
t.co/E6BCVtgVbi
No environmental field survey that has searched for microplastics has yet failed to detect their presence. They are omnipresent in the water column, in the sediments, and in aquatic food webs.
Read our review paper:
t.co/E6BCVtgVbi
Massive mound of quagga shells at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan.
Photo by Kim Schwaiger - See article "The Great Takeover" in Discover magazine: www.discovermagazine.com/zebra-mussel...
Photo by Kim Schwaiger - See article "The Great Takeover" in Discover magazine: www.discovermagazine.com/zebra-mussel...
November 6, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Massive mound of quagga shells at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan.
Photo by Kim Schwaiger - See article "The Great Takeover" in Discover magazine: www.discovermagazine.com/zebra-mussel...
Photo by Kim Schwaiger - See article "The Great Takeover" in Discover magazine: www.discovermagazine.com/zebra-mussel...
Humans as an invasive species...
November 1, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Humans as an invasive species...
72 boats with invasive species intercepted before entering Lake Tahoe, including 14 interceptions of invasive mussels:
fox40.com/news/califor...
Shown below is a cluster of golden mussels (Limnoperna fortunei), now established in California.
fox40.com/news/califor...
Shown below is a cluster of golden mussels (Limnoperna fortunei), now established in California.
October 16, 2025 at 12:28 AM
72 boats with invasive species intercepted before entering Lake Tahoe, including 14 interceptions of invasive mussels:
fox40.com/news/califor...
Shown below is a cluster of golden mussels (Limnoperna fortunei), now established in California.
fox40.com/news/califor...
Shown below is a cluster of golden mussels (Limnoperna fortunei), now established in California.
In the Richelieu River, 25 years' exposure to zebra mussel fouling and food competition has produced a longterm erosion of native unionid mussels, despite the river's chemistry being suboptimal for zebra mussels.
cdnsciencepub.com/doi/10.1139/...
Pre-print: utoronto.scholaris.ca/bitstreams/9...
cdnsciencepub.com/doi/10.1139/...
Pre-print: utoronto.scholaris.ca/bitstreams/9...
October 2, 2025 at 7:41 PM
In the Richelieu River, 25 years' exposure to zebra mussel fouling and food competition has produced a longterm erosion of native unionid mussels, despite the river's chemistry being suboptimal for zebra mussels.
cdnsciencepub.com/doi/10.1139/...
Pre-print: utoronto.scholaris.ca/bitstreams/9...
cdnsciencepub.com/doi/10.1139/...
Pre-print: utoronto.scholaris.ca/bitstreams/9...
A shout out to the invertebrates that contribute to river ecosystem function.
Polycentropid caddisfly larvae are cool suspension feeders/predators. In the St Lawrence & Ottawa rivers, we commonly find the classic trombone-shaped nets of the polycentropodid Neureclipsis. #WorldRiversDay
Polycentropid caddisfly larvae are cool suspension feeders/predators. In the St Lawrence & Ottawa rivers, we commonly find the classic trombone-shaped nets of the polycentropodid Neureclipsis. #WorldRiversDay
September 28, 2025 at 4:08 PM
A shout out to the invertebrates that contribute to river ecosystem function.
Polycentropid caddisfly larvae are cool suspension feeders/predators. In the St Lawrence & Ottawa rivers, we commonly find the classic trombone-shaped nets of the polycentropodid Neureclipsis. #WorldRiversDay
Polycentropid caddisfly larvae are cool suspension feeders/predators. In the St Lawrence & Ottawa rivers, we commonly find the classic trombone-shaped nets of the polycentropodid Neureclipsis. #WorldRiversDay
On #WorldRiversDay, our lab celebrates over two decades of research on river ecosystems!
#StLawrenceRiver
#RichelieuRiver
#OttawaRiver
#StLawrenceRiver
#RichelieuRiver
#OttawaRiver
September 28, 2025 at 3:52 PM
On #WorldRiversDay, our lab celebrates over two decades of research on river ecosystems!
#StLawrenceRiver
#RichelieuRiver
#OttawaRiver
#StLawrenceRiver
#RichelieuRiver
#OttawaRiver
On #WorldRiversDay the Ricciardi Lab salutes the majestic St Lawrence River. Gateway to the world's largest freshwater ecosystem; 1200km in length with archipelagos, extensive wetlands, fluvial lakes & an enormous estuary. It has >70 native species of freshwater fish & myriad invertebrate species.
September 28, 2025 at 3:47 PM
On #WorldRiversDay the Ricciardi Lab salutes the majestic St Lawrence River. Gateway to the world's largest freshwater ecosystem; 1200km in length with archipelagos, extensive wetlands, fluvial lakes & an enormous estuary. It has >70 native species of freshwater fish & myriad invertebrate species.
Last week our field team investigated the effects of low water levels in the St Lawrence River. Shown left to right: @briellecomartin.bsky.social, @ivanakomendic.bsky.social & @tjcolvin.bsky.social
Joining them was @ecoinvasions.bsky.social. The land on which they're standing should be under water.
Joining them was @ecoinvasions.bsky.social. The land on which they're standing should be under water.
September 21, 2025 at 1:36 AM
Last week our field team investigated the effects of low water levels in the St Lawrence River. Shown left to right: @briellecomartin.bsky.social, @ivanakomendic.bsky.social & @tjcolvin.bsky.social
Joining them was @ecoinvasions.bsky.social. The land on which they're standing should be under water.
Joining them was @ecoinvasions.bsky.social. The land on which they're standing should be under water.
Meet the freshwater mussel Margaritifera margaritifera. It can live for up to 130 years. It uses salmonid fishes as hosts for its larval stage. It is endangered in Europe but stable in Atlantic North America. It belongs in a different family than most other N. American & European freshwater mussels.
September 4, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Meet the freshwater mussel Margaritifera margaritifera. It can live for up to 130 years. It uses salmonid fishes as hosts for its larval stage. It is endangered in Europe but stable in Atlantic North America. It belongs in a different family than most other N. American & European freshwater mussels.
A study of thermal acclimation capacities & feeding efficiencies of round goby and native logperch at different temperatures: redpath-staff.mcgill.ca/ricciardi/Hu...
Our results highlight the need for risk assessment to account for native & non-native species responses to shifting thermal contexts.
Our results highlight the need for risk assessment to account for native & non-native species responses to shifting thermal contexts.
September 4, 2025 at 3:20 AM
A study of thermal acclimation capacities & feeding efficiencies of round goby and native logperch at different temperatures: redpath-staff.mcgill.ca/ricciardi/Hu...
Our results highlight the need for risk assessment to account for native & non-native species responses to shifting thermal contexts.
Our results highlight the need for risk assessment to account for native & non-native species responses to shifting thermal contexts.
August 10, 2025 at 1:47 AM
Astounding underwater photos showing billions of invasive quagga mussels dominating the bottom of the Great Lakes. #bioinvasions
www.jsonline.com/picture-gall...
www.jsonline.com/picture-gall...
July 29, 2025 at 4:29 AM
Astounding underwater photos showing billions of invasive quagga mussels dominating the bottom of the Great Lakes. #bioinvasions
www.jsonline.com/picture-gall...
www.jsonline.com/picture-gall...
How do introduced goldfish handle two common stressors in north temperate urban waters? Acclimation to high temperature & salinity will increase CTmax. High salinities have negative effects on thermal tolerance that are buffered at intermediate temperatures. redpath-staff.mcgill.ca/ricciardi/Cl...
July 26, 2025 at 4:51 AM
How do introduced goldfish handle two common stressors in north temperate urban waters? Acclimation to high temperature & salinity will increase CTmax. High salinities have negative effects on thermal tolerance that are buffered at intermediate temperatures. redpath-staff.mcgill.ca/ricciardi/Cl...
Tench (Tinca tinca) have been spreading in the St Lawrence River since the early 2000s. The presence of invasive populations can be obscure in some habitats. A test of multiple fishing methods reveals gill nets to be the most effective gear for capturing tench. www.reabic.net/journals/mbi...
July 26, 2025 at 4:38 AM
Tench (Tinca tinca) have been spreading in the St Lawrence River since the early 2000s. The presence of invasive populations can be obscure in some habitats. A test of multiple fishing methods reveals gill nets to be the most effective gear for capturing tench. www.reabic.net/journals/mbi...
July 18, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Invasive Mussels Threaten Whitefish Populations Across Great Lakes
"[Quagga mussels] filter phytoplankton—the base of the aquatic food chain—directly from the water. That limits food availability for zooplankton, which are a critical food source for young whitefish."
wzmq19.com/news/350680/...
"[Quagga mussels] filter phytoplankton—the base of the aquatic food chain—directly from the water. That limits food availability for zooplankton, which are a critical food source for young whitefish."
wzmq19.com/news/350680/...
July 14, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Invasive Mussels Threaten Whitefish Populations Across Great Lakes
"[Quagga mussels] filter phytoplankton—the base of the aquatic food chain—directly from the water. That limits food availability for zooplankton, which are a critical food source for young whitefish."
wzmq19.com/news/350680/...
"[Quagga mussels] filter phytoplankton—the base of the aquatic food chain—directly from the water. That limits food availability for zooplankton, which are a critical food source for young whitefish."
wzmq19.com/news/350680/...
Three invasive American congeners are in Ontario inland waters: the red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii), marbled crayfish (Procambarus virginalis), & white river crayfish (Procambarus acutus).
www.insidehalton.com/news/an-inva...
www.insidehalton.com/news/an-inva...
July 13, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Three invasive American congeners are in Ontario inland waters: the red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii), marbled crayfish (Procambarus virginalis), & white river crayfish (Procambarus acutus).
www.insidehalton.com/news/an-inva...
www.insidehalton.com/news/an-inva...
New study: We tested CTmax of goldfish at different acclimation temperatures & salt treatments. Goldfish ability to acclimate to urban pond stressors is compromised by a narrow acclimation window at 6 ppt salinity, thus diluting their tolerance of heat stress: redpath-staff.mcgill.ca/ricciardi/Cl...
July 9, 2025 at 4:15 AM
New study: We tested CTmax of goldfish at different acclimation temperatures & salt treatments. Goldfish ability to acclimate to urban pond stressors is compromised by a narrow acclimation window at 6 ppt salinity, thus diluting their tolerance of heat stress: redpath-staff.mcgill.ca/ricciardi/Cl...
3/ Sheppard & Ricciardi (2025) compared functional
responses of marbled & red swamp crayfishes at 18C & 26C. We conclude that trophic impacts of marbled crayfish will dampen w increased warming, while red swamp crayfish will have larger impacts at both temp's: redpath-staff.mcgill.ca/ricciardi/Sh...
responses of marbled & red swamp crayfishes at 18C & 26C. We conclude that trophic impacts of marbled crayfish will dampen w increased warming, while red swamp crayfish will have larger impacts at both temp's: redpath-staff.mcgill.ca/ricciardi/Sh...
July 9, 2025 at 3:52 AM
3/ Sheppard & Ricciardi (2025) compared functional
responses of marbled & red swamp crayfishes at 18C & 26C. We conclude that trophic impacts of marbled crayfish will dampen w increased warming, while red swamp crayfish will have larger impacts at both temp's: redpath-staff.mcgill.ca/ricciardi/Sh...
responses of marbled & red swamp crayfishes at 18C & 26C. We conclude that trophic impacts of marbled crayfish will dampen w increased warming, while red swamp crayfish will have larger impacts at both temp's: redpath-staff.mcgill.ca/ricciardi/Sh...
2/ Chicatun et al (2024) compared functional responses (at 18C & 26C) of rusty crayfish from 6 invasive pop'ns across a latitudinal gradient. Attack rates of northern crayfish were higher than southern ones at both temp's, suggesting countergradient variation:
redpath-staff.mcgill.ca/ricciardi/Ch...
redpath-staff.mcgill.ca/ricciardi/Ch...
July 9, 2025 at 3:36 AM
2/ Chicatun et al (2024) compared functional responses (at 18C & 26C) of rusty crayfish from 6 invasive pop'ns across a latitudinal gradient. Attack rates of northern crayfish were higher than southern ones at both temp's, suggesting countergradient variation:
redpath-staff.mcgill.ca/ricciardi/Ch...
redpath-staff.mcgill.ca/ricciardi/Ch...