Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha)
Native range: They are native to the Black, Caspian, and Azov Seas.
Invasive range: They are found around the Great Lakes, spreading outward via rivers throughout the middle eastern United States. They have been found in the Housatonic River and Lake Housatonic in Connecticut.
Method of introduction: They were likely introduced to the United States through ballast water.
Impacts: Zebra mussels are known to congregate on water supply pipes of water treatment plants as well as power plants, preventing water flow and prompting costly removal. They have widespread ecological impacts as well through their consumption of phytoplankton, bacteria, microzooplankton, and various diatoms, ultimately depleting a food source needed by native mussels.
Identification: They were originally named for their striped shells, but can have various different color patterns (See slideshow below for examples). They look similar to the quagga mussel, but can be easily distinguished due to their ability to lay on their flat side.
Methods of control: Many different methods have been used to attempt to control zebra mussels, including molliscides, manual removal, filters or coatings, heat, and electrical currents. There has also been a lot of focus on preventing their spread through sanitizing and decontaminating boats as well as via quarantine (such as through limiting access to locations where the zebra mussel has been found).
Invasive range: They are found around the Great Lakes, spreading outward via rivers throughout the middle eastern United States. They have been found in the Housatonic River and Lake Housatonic in Connecticut.
Method of introduction: They were likely introduced to the United States through ballast water.
Impacts: Zebra mussels are known to congregate on water supply pipes of water treatment plants as well as power plants, preventing water flow and prompting costly removal. They have widespread ecological impacts as well through their consumption of phytoplankton, bacteria, microzooplankton, and various diatoms, ultimately depleting a food source needed by native mussels.
Identification: They were originally named for their striped shells, but can have various different color patterns (See slideshow below for examples). They look similar to the quagga mussel, but can be easily distinguished due to their ability to lay on their flat side.
Methods of control: Many different methods have been used to attempt to control zebra mussels, including molliscides, manual removal, filters or coatings, heat, and electrical currents. There has also been a lot of focus on preventing their spread through sanitizing and decontaminating boats as well as via quarantine (such as through limiting access to locations where the zebra mussel has been found).
Resources:
- Benson, A.J., Raikow, D., Larson, J., Fusaro, A. , and Bogdanoff, A.K.. 2018 Feb 13. Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas, 1771). U.S. Geological Survey: Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database. [accessed 2019 Mar 10]. https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?speciesID=5.
- Fofonoff, P.W., Ruiz, G.M., Steves, B., Simkanin, C., and Carlton, J.T.. 2018. Dreissena polymorpha. National Exotic Marine and Estuarine Species Information System. [accessed 2019 Mar 10]. https://invasions.si.edu/nemesis/browseDB/SpeciesSummary.jsp?TSN=81339.
- Management and Control: Control Methods. Invasive Mussel Collaborative. [accessed 2019 Mar 10]. https://invasivemusselcollaborative.net/management-control/control-methods/.
- Zebra Mussel. U.S. Department of Agriculture. [accessed 2019 Mar 10]. https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/profile/zebra-mussel.
Images Courtesy of:
1. & 2. Amy Benson, U.S. Geological Survey. Accessed from: Benson, A.J., Raikow, D., Larson, J., Fusaro, A. , and Bogdanoff, A.K.. 2018 Feb 13. Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas, 1771). U.S. Geological Survey: Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database. [accessed 2019 Mar 10]. https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?speciesID=5.
1. & 2. Amy Benson, U.S. Geological Survey. Accessed from: Benson, A.J., Raikow, D., Larson, J., Fusaro, A. , and Bogdanoff, A.K.. 2018 Feb 13. Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas, 1771). U.S. Geological Survey: Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database. [accessed 2019 Mar 10]. https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?speciesID=5.