where is the zebra mussels native habitat

What are facts about zebra mussels?

Zebra mussel facts

• Species name: Dreissena polymorpha
• Native to Eastern Europe/Western Asia.
• They can be found in freshwater lakes, ponds, and rivers, as well as all kinds of hard surfaces.
• Zebra mussels typically live 2-5 years in temperate climates, with water temperatures ranging from 32 - 90 °F.

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What impact do zebra mussels have on the ecosystem?

Zebra mussels negatively impact ecosystems in many ways. They filter out algae that native species need for food and they attach to--and incapacitate--native mussels. Power plants must also spend millions of dollars removing zebra mussels from clogged water intakes.

What are the negative effects of zebra mussels?

• allows sunlight to penetrate deeper
• increases the growth of submerged aquatic vegetation
• leads to toxic algal blooms as Zebra Mussels do not feed on toxic algae
• increases pathogenic bacteria, avian botulism, and localized anoxia

Are zebra mussels invasive species?

Zebra mussels have become an invasive species in North America, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Spain, and Sweden. They disrupt the ecosystems by monotypic colonization, and damage harbors and waterways, ships and boats, and water-treatment and power plants.

Where is the zebra mussels natural habitat?

Zebra mussels are native to the drainage basins of the Black, Caspian and Aral Seas of Eastern Europe. It is believed that ships originating from European ports carried the mussel in freshwater ballast that was discharged into Great Lake ports. The first North American zebra mussel discovery was in Lake St.

Where are most zebra mussels found?

Distribution. Zebra Mussels are native to the Black and Caspian seas region in southeastern Europe. Zebra Mussels entered the Great Lakes in the late 1980s through ballast water discharged from ships. Since then, they have spread through much of eastern Canada and the United States.

What country is the zebra mussel from?

The zebra mussel is native to Eastern Europe and Western Russia. The species was unintentionally introduced into the United States' Great Lakes through the discharge of contaminated cargo ship ballast water.

Do zebra mussels make pearls?

Every mussel, at least in the minds of men, has the potential to contain a pearl. Mussels, like their salt water counterparts, oysters, create pearls.

Can I buy zebra mussels?

It is illegal to own, sell or distribute live zebra mussels in the U.S. The USGS received the first reports during the last week of February and raised the alarm to other federal and state agencies, which have since sprung into action.

Can zebra mussels be eaten?

Most clams and mussels are edible, but that does not mean they taste good! Many species and fish and ducks eat zebra mussels, so they are not harmful in that sense. Zebra mussels are so small and do not have much in the way of "meat" inside them, you would have to be pretty hungry to want to eat them.

Do zebra mussels bite?

“But they pack a powerful bite. They will certainly be a grave danger to swimmers, waders, and people near the shoreline.” In addition to enormous razor sharp teeth, Dr. Gill went on to say that the Piranha Toothed Zebra Mussel is also quite venomous.

Can zebra mussels survive out of water?

Adult quagga/zebra mussels can survive out of water for a week or longer, and the microscopic larvae can be transported in water in bilges, ballasts, live wells, or any equipment that holds water.

What states have zebra mussels?

They have spread rapidly throughout the Great Lakes region and into the large rivers of the eastern Mississippi drainage. They have also been found in Texas, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and California. Zebra mussels negatively impact ecosystems in many ways.

Why are zebra mussels located primarily in the eastern US?

The eastern states have more surface waters available for colonization and to act as corridors to dispersal; the western states have fewer such habitats.

How many lakes in Michigan have zebra mussels?

Zebra mussels reported in 255 Michigan inland lakes.

Can zebra mussels survive in saltwater?

Zebra Mussels are an invertebrate. These are a freshwater species. They cannot survive in salt water, period. A 24 hour soak will kill them (including larvae) and any other freshwater livestock species.

Where is the zebra mussel native to?

( Pallas, 1771) The zebra mussel ( Dreissena polymorpha) is a small freshwater mussel. The species was originally native to the lakes of southern Russia and Ukraine, but has been accidentally introduced to numerous other areas and has become an invasive species in many countries worldwide.

Why are zebra mussels important to the lake floor?

Lake floor food supplies are enriched by zebra mussels as they filter pollution out of the water. This biomass becomes available to bottom-feeding species and to the fish that feed on them. The catch of yellow perch increased 5-fold after the invasion of zebra mussels into Lake St. Clair.

How many zebra mussels do crayfish eat?

An adult crayfish consumes around 105 zebra mussels every day, or about 6,000 mussels in a season. However, predation rates are significantly reduced at lower water temperatures.

How much water does a zebra mussel process?

Zebra mussels process up to one liter of water per day, per mussel. Some particles are consumed as food, and feces are deposited on the lake floor.

What is the effect of zebra mussels on the Great Lakes?

Zebra mussels affect all classes of algal species, resulting in a shortage of food sources to native species of freshwater mussels and fish in the Great Lakes. Zebra mussel infestation on the walls of Arthur V. Ormond Lock on the Arkansas River.

Why do zebra mussels cut people's feet?

Zebra mussels are filter feeders. When in the water, they open their shells to admit detritus. As their shells are very sharp , they are known for cutting people's feet, resulting in the need to wear water shoes wherever they are prevalent.

How did zebra mussels get their name?

Zebra mussels get their name from a striped pattern commonly seen on their shells , though it is not universally present. They are usually about the size of a fingernail, but can grow to a maximum length around 2 in (5.1 cm). Shells are D-shaped, and attached to the substrate with strong byssal fibers, which come out of their umbo on the dorsal (hinged) side.

How long do zebra mussels live?

They are short-lived (between two and five years), and begin reproducing at two years of age. Each female can release up to a million eggs per year. “Biofouling,” or the accumulation of adult zebra mussels on surfaces put in the water, is one of the more notable impacts zebra mussels can have on a local economy.

When were zebra mussels first discovered?

Zebra mussels were first discovered in the U.S. in the late 1980s. The first established population was discovered in 1988 at Lake St. Clair, which straddles the border between the U.S. and Canada and which connects to Lake Erie and Lake Huron.

What are zebra mussels armed with?

Zebra mussels are armed with root-like threads of protein, called "bys sal threads, " that allow them to firmly attach themselves to hard surfaces such as rocks, native mussels, docks, or boats. NPS / Schaeppi.

Why do zebra mussels outcompete natives?

The zebra mussels also outcompete the natives for food and space, and because of their fast reproduction can quickly overwhelm a water system. The feeding habits of zebra mussels can also have a drastic impact on an infested lake. Zebra mussels are filter feeders that siphon particles of plankton from the water.

What is the National Park Service doing to stop zebra mussels?

Since 1992, the National Park Service at the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway has led the efforts designed to halt or slow the spread of zebra mussels. Public education and information, access management, monitoring, and research are all tools in this effort.

How long does it take for a zebra mussel to dry?

To prevent this, boaters must take care to drain their boats, motors and livewells before leaving a lake or river, wash their boat and trailer thoroughly, and allow it to dry for at least five days (the amount of time a zebra mussel can survive out of water) before taking the boat out again.

Do zebra mussels have to be removed?

Once a population of zebra mussels has become established in a water body, there is very little to be done to remove them.

Where are zebra mussels native to?

Native Range: The zebra mussels is native to the Black, Caspian, and Azov Seas. In 1769, Pallas first described populations of this species from the Caspian Sea and Ural River.

How are zebra mussels identified?

This mussel is typically found attached to objects, surfaces, or other mussels by threads extending from underneath the shells . Although similar in appearance to the quagga mussel (Dreissena bugensis), the two species can be distinguished by their shell morphology. When placed on a surface, zebra mussels are stable on their flattened underside while quagga mussels, lacking a flat underside, will fall over. When both zebra and quagga mussels occur in the same area, differentiation can be difficult due to the phenotypic plasticity seen in quagga mussels, and thus genetic identification is necessary at times (Kerambrun et al. 2018, Beggel et al. 2015). See Mackie and Schlosser (1996) and Ram et al. (2012) for a key to adult dreissenids.

How do zebra mussels reproduce?

Endemic bivalves are monoecious, dioecious or hermaphroditic, and some are internally fertilized by filtering sperm from the water column. Under natural thermal regimes, zebra mussel oogenesis occurs in autumn, with eggs developing until release and fertilization in spring. In thermally polluted areas, reproduction can occur continually through the year. Females generally reproduce in their second year. Eggs are expelled by the females and fertilized outside the body by the males; this process usually occurs in the spring or summer, depending on water temperature. Spawning may start when the water temperature reaches 12°C and release rate is maximized above 17-18°C (McMahon 1996). Over 40,000 eggs can be laid in a reproductive cycle and up to one million in a spawning season. Spawning may last longer in waters that are warm throughout the year.

How did zebra mussels affect zooplankton?

The zooplankton community has also been affected by the invasion of zebra mussels. Zooplankton abundance dropped 55-71% following mussel invasion in Lake Erie, with microzooplankton more heavily impacted (MacIsaac et al. 1995). Mean summer biomass of zooplankton decreased from 130 to 78 mg dry wt. m-3 between 1991 and 1992 in the inner portion of Saginaw Bay. The total biomass of zooplankton in the Hudson River declined 70% following mussel invasion, due both to a reduction in large zooplankton body size and reduction in microzooplankton abundance. These effects can be attributed to reduction of available food (phytoplankton) and direct predation on microzooplankton. Increased competition in the zooplankton community for newly limited food should result from zebra mussel infestation. The size of individual zooplankters might decrease. Hypotheses can be formulated specifying which species will prevail based on knowledge of competitive ability.

What is the difference between a zebra mussel and a quagga mussel?

When placed on a surface, zebra mussels are stable on their flattened underside while quagga mussels, lacking a flat underside, will fall over.

How much salinity do mussels tolerate?

North American populations generally tolerate salinity up to 4 ‰.

What is the oxygen level of a zebra mussel?

Zebra mussels have been found in the hypolimnetic zone of lakes with oxygen levels of 0.1-11.2 mg/l, and in the epilimnetic zone with oxygen levels of 4.2–13.3 mg/l. Zebra mussels are described as poor O2 regulators, possibly explaining their low success rate in colonizing eutrophic lakes and the hypolimnion.

Where do zebra mussels come from?

Zebra mussels are an invasive, fingernail-sized mollusk that is native to fresh waters in Eurasia. Their name comes from the dark, zig-zagged stripes on each shell. Zebra mussels probably arrived in the Great Lakes in the 1980s via ballast water that was discharged by large ships from Europe. They have spread rapidly throughout ...

Where did the zebra mussel originate?

The zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) is a small, non-native mussel originally found in Russia. In 1988, this animal was transported to North America in the ballast water of a transatlantic

What species of mussels have been introduced to the Great Lakes?

The only two dreissenid mussels known to have been introduced into the US. Both the quagga mussel and zebra mussel are prolific breeders possibly contributing to their spread and abundance. The introduction of both dreissenid species into the Great Lakes appears to be.

What is the USGS zebra mussel program?

Geological Survey (USGS) Zebra Mussel Monitoring Program for north Texas provides early detection and monitoring of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) by using a holistic suite of detection methods . The program is designed to assess zebra mussel occurrence, distribution, and densities in north Texas waters by using four approaches: (1)...

How do zebra mussels affect the ecosystem?

Zebra mussels negatively impact ecosystems in many ways. They filter out algae that native species need for food and they attach to--and incapacitate--native mussels . Power plants must also spend millions of dollars removing zebra mussels from clogged water intakes. FAQ.

What is the USGS non-indigenous species database?

Geological Survey (USGS) Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) Program maintains a database that monitors, records, and analyzes sightings of nonindigenous aquatic plant and animal species throughout the United States.

When were zebra mussels first detected?

Procedures for conducting underwater searches for invasive mussels (Dreissena sp.) Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) were first detected in the Great Lakes in 1988. They were likely transported as larvae or young adults inside the ballast tanks of large ocean-going ships originating from Europe.

What is a zebra mussel?

Zebra mussels, or more specifically Dreissena polymorpha, are a species of freshwater bivalve.

What fish eat zebra mussels?

Likely, the biggest predator here in the Midwest is the crayfish, which can eat dozens of small mussels.

Why are zebra mussels bad for you?

Eating zebra mussels is a health risk due to the fact that they are filter feeders. As they filter the water, pollutants like heavy metals or pesticides can get stuck and accumulate inside their shells. Do not try to cook them for dinner!

What do zebra mussels pick out?

After zebra mussels filter out all the particles from the water, they pick out their favorite bits like fish feces, bits of deca ying organic matter and microscopic organisms. What they pick out, they digest as food, and spit out ...

Why do mussels spawn in July?

Spawning is triggered by warm water, a fact evidenced by high colonization numbers in July. The story of these mussels in our lakes is complex. The amount of summer spawning and colonization varies between our lakes and across them from area to area. Right now, zebra mussels seem to be a lot more prevalent in some lakes than others.

Do zebra mussels stick to asbestos?

Scientists have tested many things and zebra mussels stick to nearly all of them, even asbestos. Zebra mussels do not just collect a few a time; they prefer to colonize, and will quickly clog pipes and amass on the propellers and hulls of boats.

Do zebra mussels have predators?

Where they are from, zebra mussels have a whole host of natural predators. Birds, fish and many other creatures consume these small crunchy-coated nuggets. Here in northern Indiana, however, the list of organisms that can control the zebra mussel population is much, much more limited. Of all the species that live here, ...

Where are mussels found?

More often the mussels are found attached to the aquatic plants that have been snagged by props or drive units. These plant fragments are easily transported from waterbody to waterbody, and are a naturally moist and shaded environment in which mussels can remain alive. The zebra mussel larvae can be inadvertently transported in live wells, in bilges, within the engine cooling systems, and in bait and collection buckets as well.

How long can a zebra mussel live in water?

Immature mussels die quite quickly when exposed to drying or the sun. Boats that have been in the water for more than 1 or 2 days in areas with zebra mussels may have mussels attached to their hulls, anchors and chains, trailers, equipment, and engine drive units.

What is the goal of the Zebra Mussel Monitoring Network?

Preventing the spread of zebra mussels to the West is the primary objective of the Zebra Mussel Monitoring Network coordinated by the Center for Lakes & Reservoirs. Volunteers are being sought throughout Washington who have access to lakes and rivers. They will be provided with a PVC substrate to hang on their docks and monthly reply cards. If there is a positive sighting, authorities will be alerted and will determine the extent of colonization.

How to clean zebra mussels off a boat?

Even if none are visible, cleanse the boat thoroughly with fresh water. Rinse the boat at the launch, taking care to clean the bottom and any crevices thoroughly. This will dislodge any mussels that may have settled on the boat.

How did zebra mussels enter the Great Lakes?

They entered the Great Lakes Region via ballast water of a transatlantic vessel in the late 1980s. Within 10 years, these mussels colonized the river basins of the Great Lakes, Mississippi, Tennessee, Hudson, and Ohio. Zebra mussel densities have been reported to be over 700,000 individuals per square meter in some places in the Great Lakes area.

What are the effects of zebra mussels on water?

Zebra mussel fecal material may also contribute to taste and odor problems in drink ing water sources.

What is the most troublesome freshwater biofouling organism in North America?

Army Corp of Engineers, they attach to manmade structures, particularly pipelines, impeding water movement through hydroelectric turbines and intake structures for drinking water and irrigation systems.

Overview

Ecology

As an invasive species

Effects

Preventing their spread

See also

Further reading

External links