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| Zebra Mussel Threat To Lake Parker | ||
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Description: The zebra mussel is a small freshwater mollusk, native to the Caspian and Black sea region of Eurasia. In 1988, this prolific mussel was first identified in the United States in Lake St. Clair of the Great Lakes region. It is believed that the emptying of ballast water from commercial transatlantic ships introduced the mussel into the Great Lakes. Since then, zebra mussels have spread throughout the interconnected waterways in the eastern U.S. and were confirmed in Lake Champlain during the summer of 1993. Each female zebra mussel can lay up to one million eggs during the summer months when water temperatures rise above 50°F. The fertilized eggs hatch into microscopic juveniles called veligers, which can travel great distances following water currents or when transported on boats and trailers. These methods of spread lead to rapid infestation of new water bodies. Once settled on a hard surface, the veligers grow rapidly into "D" shaped, one inch size adult mussels. Colonies of adults can attain densities of up to 700,000 individuals per square meter. Zebra mussels generally live for two years in North American waters, but can survive for as long as 4-5 years. Impacts: Learn more about Zebra Mussels. |
Zebra Mussel