How would you describe a zebra mussel?
DESCRIPTION: Zebra mussels, species Dreissena polymorpha, are freshwater bivalve mollusks that typically have a dark and white (zebra-like) pattern on their shells, but may be any combination of colors from off-white to dark brown (hence the Latin name “polymorpha”). Both species are invasive in North America.
What specific organisms does the zebra mussel affect?
They also negatively impact aquatic ecosystems by harming native organisms. In huge numbers, they out-compete other filter feeders, starving them. They adhere to all hard surfaces, including the shells of native mussels, turtles, and crustaceans.
Is a zebra mussel an organism?
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. They filter out algae that native species need for food and they attach to–and incapacitate–native mussels.
What is a fun fact about zebra mussels?
Zebra mussels are filter feeders. This means that they filter and eat algae and other particles from the water. Unlike nearly all other freshwater molluscs (such as clams and snails) zebra mussels grow while attached to hard surfaces such as rocks and plants and, unfortunately, boats, motors and water intakes.
What type of species is a zebra mussel?
Dreissena polymorpha
Zebra mussels, or more specifically Dreissena polymorpha, are a species of freshwater bivalve. They are native to the Black Sea and Caspian Sea in eastern Europe, and have two half-shells that they protect themselves with, just like their clam, oyster and scallop cousins.
What is a zebra mussels habitat?
What kind of habitat do they need? Zebra mussels live in still or slow-moving freshwater, and attach themselves to any hard surface under water, natural or man-made, including rocks, submerged wood, boat hulls, buoys, docks, and water intake pipes.
What are the predators of zebra mussels?
Besides pumpkinseeds, the several other North American fish eat zebra mussels, including freshwater drums, redhorse suckers, river carpsuckers and smallmouth buffalos. Some species of waterbirds are important predators of zebra mussels too. These are mostly diving ducks.
What are 2 positive effects that zebra mussels have on an ecosystem?
Interestingly, invasions by quagga and zebra mussels have been documented as having some positive affects on receiving ecosystems. For example, filtration of water by mussels as they extract food removes particulate matter. This filtration has improved water clarity, and reduced the eutrophication of polluted lakes.
Why is the zebra mussel invasive?
Zebra mussels are one of the most devastating invasive species in North America. When they become established in an environment, they alter food webs and change water chemistry, harming native fish plants and other aquatic life. They clog pipelines used for water filtration, render beaches unusable, and damage boats.
Do zebra mussels smell?
AUSTIN, Texas — Zebra mussels are being blamed for Austin’s smelly water. Austin Water says the water is safe to drink, but customers in central and south Austin say it doesn’t smell like it. “It smells a little bit like sewage or maybe just like old lake water,” said Lisa Hickey who lives in Central Austin.
Are zebra mussels carnivores?
Zebra Mussel, Dreissena polymorpha
| Ecological Interactions | Herbivore |
|---|---|
| Consumed By | It gets eaten by carp and ducks. People don’t like them because they don’t have much meat. |
What organisms does the zebra mussel compete with in the Hudson River and Great Lakes?
Recent research has shown that zebra mussels may be susceptible to predation from fish and crabs in the Hudson River.