zebra mussels are a huge problem because they harm Native Species. Ability to thrive in different environments - most invasive alien species are generalists, meaning they can survive in a variety of different habitat types and climate regions. "Zebra mussels are a plague," says Lacey Steigerwald, who has watched as they have infested the Lakeway Marina on Lake Travis, where she works. As they continue to cause problems in Central Texas, is there a way to get rid of this invasive species? Zebra mussels were introduced into the Great Lakes region in the late 1980s. Zebra mussels are invading central Pa. waters: Why you should care about this problem. Within one year, they colonized nearly every firm object in Lake Erie. SCIENTIFIC NAME: Dreissena polymorpha Zebra mussels are in the Dreissenidae family, the false mussel and zebra mussel family. How they got here and why they're a problem. This summer she led a team of UT undergraduate researchers studying the severity of the infestation in the Austin area. Zebra mussels have been categorized as a nuisance. Although this filtering action may clear up the water, clear water does NOT mean clean water and the clear water zebra mussels leave behind will often lead to algal blooms that are harmful to people. In the absence of their natural pathogens, parasites, and predators, the zebra mussel populations in the Great Lakes has grown enormously. From Texas to New York, freshwater sources are being invaded by a tiny but disastrous creature that no one seems able to stop. Some possible solutions to the zebra mussel—and the problems associated with them— problem that this site will review are: 1. They can produce millions of offspring per year which is why they are an invasive species. How might zebra mussels be used to improve lake systems? The impact of invasive alien species on native ecosystems, habitats and species is severe and often irreversible, and … Power plants must also spend millions of dollars removing zebra mussels from clogged water intakes. a. the other lakes are too cold for them to reproduce in large amounts b. they have natural predators in the other lakes c. they cannot leave these lakes d. they cannot grow into colonies. Zebra mussels like temperate water and as a result there is a huge die off each year when the ice forms. With so many zebra mussels emitting copious amounts of waste a high amount of oxygen is needed to break down the wastes thus resulting in a low amount of oxygen present for the mussels and fish to breath. Zebra mussels attached to a rock were caught on the fishing hook of a LWF supporter on Aug. 29, 2015, just south of Balsam Harbour. Zebra muscles are an invasive species, meaning they have come over from another country and don't belong here. Because of these costs, many possible solutions to the zebra mussel problem are being researched. ZEBRA MUSSEL COMMON NAME: Zebra Mussel The zebra mussel gets its name from the dark and light stripes on its shell that resembles those on a zebra. However, unlike other species, … In order for a zebra mussel to live, it must attach itself to a hard object. The mussels first entered the United States in 1988 after stowing away in the ballast water of European ship that passed through Lake St. Clair, a small lake connecting Lakes Huron and Erie. Not only do zebra mussels attach themselves to things like rocks, logs, and the hulls of ships, they also attach themselves to native species. The mussels … Why are zebra mussels a problem? 2. They filter out algae that native species need for food and they attach to--and incapacitate--native mussels. Zebra mussels are native to the Caspian Sea region and got their name in 1769 by German zoologist Peter Simon Pallas. When they wash up on shore in the spring, they can amass depths of 4-7 feet high. Oxygen is needed to break down these wastes. Just a few years after their arrival, they began causing problems that continue to affect … The exposure of pregnant zebra mussels to high levels of serotonin. Although this filtering action may clear up the water, clear water does NOT mean clean water and the clear water zebra mussels leave behind will often lead to algal blooms that are harmful to people. The Zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) is a bivalve mussel native to freshwater lakes of southeast Russia. The impacts of zebra mussels have been well documented in lakes across Europe and North America. Wiki User October 27, 2015 1:28PM. Why are zebra mussels considered to be a problem? Impact on the local ecosystem: There is an immediate impact on the local ecosystem; almost all life is impacted as a result of zebra mussels. Answer. In the absence of their natural pathogens, parasites, and predators, the zebra mussel populations in the Great Lakes has grown enormously. Expansion to inland waters continues at an alarming rate. Is there a solution to the zebra mussel problem in Central Texas?