Modes of Transportation for Zebra Mussels As we continue to deal with the consequences of their introduction, it’s important to remember the lessons we’ve learned and try to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. They’ve also clogged up pipes and water intakes, causing problems for power plants, factories, and municipalities. They’ve outcompeted native species and disrupted food chains, leading to a decline in biodiversity. discussed this point in-depth in their recent paper, 'Top-down and bottom-up control of phytoplankton communities by zebra mussels Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas, 1771).' An analysis of which species of phytoplankton are most impacted by zebra mussels is discussed, as well as the ecological impact of the excretion produced by invasive zebra mussels.Regardless of how they got here, zebra mussels have caused significant damage to our freshwater ecosystems. Their concentrated presence also removes necessary phytoplankton from the water via filter-feeding, depriving other organisms in the food web from oxygen and nutrients. As zebra mussels inevitably become the dominant filter-feeding mollusks in an environment, they are not safe for consumption because of their increased concentration of toxins accumulated through this same filtration method. ![]() This attachment may block the gills of the mussel species normal to the environment, which suffocates them. Mussels are filter-feeders, and zebra mussels can outcompete most in this aspect, while also using competing mussel species as surface area for attachment. Zebra mussels are also difficult to remove from an #ecological perspective. In fact, large amounts of zebra mussels may also cause shutdowns in #watertreatmentplant systems. Zebra mussels also block water intake pipes which normally supply water to homes and #cottages. Of note, these groups are incredibly sharp and painful to walk across, rendering rivers and lake shores unsafe for swimming and other #waterfront activities. Zebra mussels are recognizable by their tendency to attach to surfaces in mass colonies, several feet thick, resembling barnacles. As adults, they are unique in their ability to produce byssal fibers, which are a very sturdy and flexible medium for attachment to the hulls of ships and other underwater surfaces. ![]() Here's the problem: zebra mussels are nearly impossible to remove from a freshwater #environment. Therefore, they can travel great distances down-river to enter larger #freshwater ecosystems, including those #lakes popular with #boating and #fishing enthusiasts. Young zebra mussel larvae, called veligers, can swim freely to enter new environments, and avoid competition from their genetic relatives. These tiny invertebrates propagate in a manner defining of their #invasive nature. Originating from the Black Sea between Eastern Europe and Western Asia as well as the Caspian Sea further east, zebra mussels entered the ballast water of #international trade vessels which was discharged into North American waters. #zebramussels ( Dreissena polymorpha) are an #invasivespecies of small, freshwater mollusk that have plagued Canadian rivers and lakes since the 1980's, especially in the #greatlakes region where they were initially determined to be of environmental concern.
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