Transcript The Zebra Mussell Dreissena polymorpha

The Zebra Mussel
Dreissena polymorpha
© Keith Klestinski 2003
What is the BIG Problem?
Spread and Impact
Lessons Learned in the Great
Lakes Region
Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks
PROGRESSION OF THE ZEBRA MUSSEL
(Dreissena polymorpha)
DISTRIBUTION IN NORTH AMERICA
1988-2002
Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Zebra Mussel Family Tree
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
Order: Veneroida
Family: Dreissenidae
Genus: Dreissena
Species: polymorpha
Zebra Mussel Anatomy
byssal threads
used for
attaching to a
substrate
The Siphons
The large opening of each mussel is
the incurrent siphon, the smaller
opening is the excurrent siphon.
Life Cycle of Zebra Mussels
Zebra Mussel Metamorphosis
Free Floating Larval State
IMPACTS
Zebra Mussels can have great impacts on our economy, and lakes &
oceans' ecosystem.
Most significantly, the mussels are extremely efficient filter-feeders,
consuming large portions of the microscopic plants and animals which form
the base of the food chain. Over time, this feeding behavior can affect a
lake's entire ecological balance, causing significant shifts in native species
populations.
In addition, one of negative effects are caused by their rapid reproduction.
Zebra Mussels have clogged up water and drain pipes at municipal water
supplies and at industries. They are expected to cost the US $5 billion in
control efforts and reparation. Zebra Mussels have displaced native
freshwater mussels of the area, and drastically altered the food web. With
no native predator, the zebra mussel population continues to grow and no
immediate end is foreseen.
(modified from http://massbay.mit.edu/exoticspecies/invaders/factsheet.html).
Industrial Costs
Let’s Relate What We Have Learned about Zebra Mussels
to the Characteristics of Living Things
Reproduction
Heritability of Traits
Growth and Development
Homeostasis (steady state)
Organization
The Zebra Mussel’s Disturbing Food Web
Zebra mussels primarily eat photosynthetic algae. All the
foods they eat are rich in calcium. Because there is no
shortage of algae, zebra mussels can't be hurt by starvation.
Zebra mussels use calcium for many things, including
repairing a damaged shell.
Zebra mussels, unfortunately, do not have many predators
here because they do not naturally exist in the North
American environment. However, there are many things
that eat the zebra mussel such as sturgeon, carp, some
diving ducks, the round goby, birds, some crayfish, and
other creatures. All of these predators are still not enough
to make a dent in the zebra mussel population.