Zebra Mussel Presentation, by Jennifer Gates and Chris WigmanMarine Biology 1070 - April 20, 2011

Zebra mussels are an invasive species in North America, first seen in 1988. They are believed to have been brought to the continent via ships from Europe, being in the ballast water of the vessels. Their native range is the Black, Caspian, and Azov Seas.

Species Globalization

Zebra Mussel TaxonomyKingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: Mollusca

Class: BivalviaOrder: Veneroida

Superfamily: DreissenoideaFamily: DressenidaeGenus: Dreissena

Species: D. polymorpha

Zebra Mussel attached to a clam

Zebra mussels get their name from the striped pattern of their shells, though not all shells bear this pattern. They're usually about fingernail size but can grow to a maximum length of nearly 2 inches.

Zebra mussels live 4 to 5 years and inhabit fresh water at depths of 6 to 24 feet.

Utah Waters Infected with the Zebra and Quagga MONSTERS

Electric Lake in South Eastern Utah (Zebra)Red Fleet Res. in Northeastern Utah (Quagga)Sand Hollow in Southern Utah (Quagga)

Inconclusive WatersJoe’s Valley Res. Huntington Res.Midview Res. (Ute Tribe Waters)Pelican Lake

A female zebra mussel begins to reproduce at 2 years of age, and Produces between 30,000 and 1 million eggs per year. About twopercent of zebra mussels reach adulthood.

Bysall Threads &Collective Survival

Bysall threads give them a stronghold to the environment. Keeping them from being swept away in water currents. This also gives stability as many mussels willgrow together near the same age.Collectively they will survive harshwater conditions as well as beingsmashed. Single mussels are veryweak but together they can with stand heavy smashing damage.

ReproductionMale and female live near one another. This is important when they are re-producing. The males will release their sperm and the females will filter it out of the water to fertilize their eggs. This can happen often through out the year. In Utah they could mate 2 – 3 times a year depending on water temp.

Zebra Mussel Life Cycle

Young zebra mussels are small and free swimming, and can be easily spread by water currents. Older zebra mussels attach themselves to hard surfaces by an external organ called a byssus, which consists of many threads. The mussels may attach to boats, pilings, water-intake pipes, and other hard surfaces, as well as to crayfish, turtles, other zebra mussels, and native mollusks. While zebra mussels can attach themselves securely, they may also move, and can reattach themselves easily if dislodged by storms.

Veligers are microscopic and drift in water currents until they have developed enough to settle out and form a new colony.

A Natural Predator has also become and invasive species to the Great Lakes

INVADER: Round Goby NATIVE: Black Mottled Sculpin

Can grow to 10 inches, and prefers to eat something otherthan zebra mussels.

Will stay small and very docile. Does not eat the zebra mussels.

There are predators to the zebra mussels, but with their fast reproduction it will not dent their population growth. Aquatic Birds, Crayfish, Sheephead (Fresh Water Drum), and perch are some predators that feed on young zebra mussels.

CLOSE RELATIVESThe Zebra Mussel vs. Quagga Mussel

Dissimilar Morphology

Environmental Impact and Change from Zebra and Quagga Mussels

Jeremy Jackson explained how we experience a baseline shift in water ecology. Below are pictures we put together to show this change and what is affected.

Before the Zebra Invasion of 1988 After the invasion. What is Affected?

Zebra mussels upset ecosystems, threaten native wildlife, damage structures, and cause other serious problems. Millions of dollars are spent each year in attempting to control these small but numerous mollusks.$200M is spent within the Great Lakes Region to and that cost is rising.

1. Harmful Algae BloomsNuisance blooms of the toxic blue-green algae Microcystis have returned to many portions of the Great Lakes since 1992. These recent blooms started a few years after the invasion of zebra mussels andtheir cousins the Quagga mussels in theGreat Lakes.

2. Benthic AlgaeThey are very effective filter feeders. because of their population densities, zebra mussels remove much of the particulate matter from the water column, leaving the water very clear and allowing increased light enetration. This produced a significant increase in productivity of bottom plants and the amount of bottom area

3. Fish Breeding Habitat InfestedMost of all fish beds are accompanied by Zebra and Quagga mussels. They filter out all the needed nutrients for eggs to develop in and also change the pH where eggs may cease to grow. Fish fry compete for food and most will not survive due to the stress from invasive species. Lake Trout numbers have dropped some 95% from 1996 – 2005.

Where is the change?

Zebra mussels are changing the ecology. Where ever the invade.This puts a new meaning to,… Piggy Back.

Any ideas on what we can do?

Zebra and Quagga mussels are bio-assimilating. Whatever poisons and toxinsare in the water they will filter out and store in their shell. Bio-accumulation.In Wisconsin you can not move the shells, because it qualifies as hazardous materials.

What about Utah? Who has the answers?

Evan Freeman: Is a Utah DWR biologist who is in charge of Central regions AIS program. He has been most instrumental in creating Utah’s plan of action to control the spread of Zebra and quagga mussels. He is not only my Boss, but a role model in his desire to educate Utahans on protecting and preserving Utah waterways.

Visit www.stopthemussels.org to see some of his work to empower boaters with knowledge to prevent the spread of mussels.

Evan also has awesome fish stories.

Mike with a 31-1/2” Brown TroutSalmon and Lake Trout 2010

NOW

In the Days When…

This is how they can do a capture study on the mussels. You can simply get 2 – 4 in. PVC pipe and netting to capture the veligers which develop into adult mussels within the pipes.This is a volunteer study process in theMidwest where everyone can be learning about the problem. This makes it personal and the public becomes more part of the process to slow the spread of mussels.

PVC and Net used to collect growingPopulations of mussels.

Pumping is also usedwhere water fauna is collected through filters.

Micro mesh nets can be towedbehind a boat very slowly to collectVeligers. These nets can also be to do vertical capture by letting them sink to a desired depth and pulling backso the surface.

Q and A for Jennifer. (But Mostly Chris)

;)Thank You!