Zebra & Quagga Mussel qPCR detection kit (real-time PCR kit for the 16s gene region)

Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) and quagga mussels (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) are highly invasive freshwater bivalves native to the Ponto-Caspian region. Both species have spread globally, causing severe economic and ecological damage by fouling infrastructure, outcompeting native species, and altering aquatic ecosystems. Effective surveillance is crucial for management. The 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene, a region of the mitochondrial genome, is a common molecular target for environmental DNA (eDNA) detection. It is favored due to its multi-copy nature, which increases sensitivity, and its conserved sequence, which allows for the design of primers that can distinguish between these dreissenid mussels and other aquatic life.