Mussels have long existed in the great lakes, and the dreissenid zebra mussels and native unionid mussels are both filter feeders. Zebra mussels first appeared in the hudson river in may 1991. Quagga mussels were discovered in lake mead, lake mojave, and lake havasu on the colorado river in january 2007. Along with excrement, unpalatable particles rejected by zebra mussels are mixed with mucus and dropped on the lake floor.
Within a year, scientists estimated their numbers had reached 500 billion, an enormous amount. From africanized honey bees to zebra mussels 97803382208. What is the current status of the invasion of nonnative zebra mussels in the great lakes. The zebra mussels also outcompete the natives for food and space. Through the story of the asian carp, readers learn about invasive species and the harm. This chapter was originally published in the book the zebra mussel in europe. What is the current status of the invasion of nonnative. Biofouling is a problem in the ecological world as well. The introduction and rapid spread of two eurasian mussel species, dreissena polymorpha zebra mussel and dreissena rostriformis bugensis quagga mussel, in waters of north america has caused great concern among industrial and recreational water users.
All of this filtration removes plankton and particles from lake waters, but these particles dont just disappear. The massive invasion of zebra mussels has led to many adverse socioeconomic and. Unknown in north america until 1988, the zebra mussel has become a pest whose exploding population has prompted alarming predictions. These animals are native to the black and caspian seas of western asia and eastern europe that have spread across the world via shipping. The species was originally native to the lakes of southern russia and ukraine. A single mussel can suck a liter of water through its body daily. The phrase immortalized in minna unchis childrens book everyone poops applies. Wellknown invasive species such the zebra mussel, chestnut blight, cheatgrass, gypsy moth, nile. And what ecological damage has this creature caused other. Zebra mussel natural history zebra mussels are a small, bivalve mollusk with alternating light and dark rings or stripes. Quagga and zebra mussels arrived in the united states from europe in the 1980s and spread to many eastern waterways, rivers, and lakes. Access thousands of highquality, free k12 articles, and create online assignments with them for your students. A single zebra mussel can filter one quart of water per day while feeding primarily on algae. This study documents the timing of invasion, and initial settlement rates, density and biomass of zebra mussels in lake simcoe.
By 2005 that relationship had completely flipped, with the quaggas making up 97. They live underwater, attached to natural and manmade substrates such as rocks, wood, plants, native mussels, pipes, docks, boat lifts, swim rafts, moored watercraft, and other debris. Zebra mussels will attach to native mussels much like they do docks, and in large enough numbers can prevent the natives from moving, feeding, reproducing, or regulating water properly. Zebra mussel natural history zebra mussels aquatic. Improve your students reading comprehension with readworks. In 1992, three years after quagga mussels were discovered in lake michigan, zebra mussels still made up more than 98 percent of the lakes invasive mussel population. With this historical record of invasion, it was expected.
Many escaped, and theyve been invading us waterways ever since. Bibliography of dreissena polymorpha zebra mussels and. These invasive species can create substantial problems for raw water users such as water treatme. The problem is thats about where the similarities between the invasive and native species end. The pros and cons of zebra mussels in the great lakes as an invasive species. This article is provided courtesy of the american museum of natural history. Invasion of zebra mussel, dreissena polymorpha, in lake. In addition, this book provides extensive coverage of the impact of invasive mussel species on freshwater ecosystems, including effects on water. Since the 1980s, they have invaded the great lakes and the hudson river. However, the zebra mussel has been accidentally introduced to numerous other areas and has become an invasive species in many countries worldwide. There are some books out there that cover the full history and impact of the seaway that.