Zebra Mussels

They live on the bottom of bodies of freshwater and form clusters.

Overview

Zebra mussels are an invasive mollusk that is ⅛ to 2 inches in length and yellow and brown in color with a striped pattern (hence the name zebra mussel). Their shells have a distinct D shape, and they are able to firmly attach to hard surfaces. They live on the bottom of bodies of freshwater and form clusters. They eat by filtering out microscopic organic matter from water (including plankton and plants). In the midwest, zebra mussels have a large presence and interfere with local ecology and human activity.

Impact on the environment:

Zebra mussels impact local ecology in two main ways. By filter feeding, they deplete food supplies for native species that eat similar things and increase water clarity. Increased water clarity leads to increased aquatic plant growth, which disrupts the ecological balance. Secondly, because they are able to attach themselves firmly to hard surfaces, they can hinder native species that have hard shells by attaching to them. Species like native mussels cannot function properly if they are covered in many zebra mussels.

Origins:

Zebra mussels are native to Eurasia, and are thought to have been transported to North America in the ballast water of ships. They likely arrived in the Great Lakes region in the late 1980’s and have spread to smaller bodies of water by attaching to boats.

Population:

“Zebra mussel densities have been reported to be over 700,000 individuals per square meter in some places in the Great Lakes area.”

References

King County. (2018, May 30). Zebra mussels: A dangerous invader. Zebra mussels: a dangerous invader - King County. Retrieved April 13, 2022, from https://kingcounty.gov/services/environment/water-and-land/lakes/facts/zebramussels.aspx

Hulai, V. (2019). Close Up of Zebra Mussel. Zebra mussels take over more lakes. News Radio KLBJ. Retrieved April 13, 2022, from https://www.newsradioklbj.com/austinlocalnews/zebra-mussels-take-over-more-lakes/.

University of Minnesota Extension. (2019). Native Mussel covered in Zebra Mussels. Zebra Mussel. Retrieved April 13, 2022, from https://extension.umn.edu/identify-invasive-species/zebra-mussel.

Bemidji Pioneer. (2019). Submitted Photo of a Zebra Mussel. Zebra Mussels Confirmed in Two Minnesota Lakes. Retrieved April 13, 2022, from https://www.bemidjipioneer.com/sports/zebra-mussels-confirmed-in-two-minnesota-lakes.