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Quagga and Zebra Mussels

Picture from http://nas.er.usgs.gov/taxgroup/mollusks/zebramussel/zebra_gallery.asp

Quagga mussels were found on the hull of a boat at Lake Tahoe on August 22.

Quagga and Zebra Mussels

Picture from http://nas.er.usgs.gov/taxgroup/mollusks/zebramussel/quagga_gallery.asp

Quagga mussel

Zebra mussel

1 inch2 inches

2008

1980s

2007-82007

How are the mussels being spread?

Zebra/quagga mussels are typically transported from one water body to another on boats.

Adult and juvenile mussels are also carried downstream by natural currents.

Remember: Larvae are microscopic and can be easily transported.

Adult zebra/quagga mussels can survive out of the water for up to a week.

Pictures from http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0bJg1oR98zfk2/610x.jpghttp://www.keeplakepowellmusselfree.com/images/500_Sailboat4.jpg

 • Reproduce quickly and in very large numbers: up to 1 million eggs per female in one spawning season.

• Colonize and coat hard and soft surfaces, including boat hulls, propellers, anchors, docks, and boat trailers, piers, pilings, rocks, cables up to 400 feet deep.

• Attach to aquatic plants, sediment, and native mussels.

• Infiltrate and damage boat engines and steering components.

• Threaten water treatment plants, hydroelectric facilities, and reservoirs.

• Disrupt the food chain by filtering the water column of phytoplankton and out-competing other species.

• Change water conditions and cause oxygen loss.

• Result in infested waters being closed to boating and fishing.

Quagga/zebra mussels can….

Pictures from:http://www.zeestop.com/images/mussels_in_pipe.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3d/Zebra_mussel_GLERL_4.jpghttp://2008.heraldextra.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=114961&g2_serialNumber=2 http://www.iisgcp.org/edk-12/EXOTICSP/images/zm-eatm3.jpg http://dls.fws.gov/DATA/files/852C1693-960E-4BCE-8D81C091E66BD445.jpg

Impacts….

Economic impact of quagga/zebra mussels

From 1993-1999, the zebra mussel infestation of the Great Lakes area cost the power industry $3.1 billion.

In the same six-year period, the economic impact on industries, businesses, and communities was more than $5 billion.

In California, spread of the mussels threatens: water delivery systems hydroelectric facilities agriculture recreational boating and fishing the environment

Picture from http://www.valleywater.org/media/2008/2038221706_36d23b29e1_o.jpg

What can be done to prevent the spread of mussels?

• Education

• Clean, drain, and dry!

• Inspections

• Restrictions

www.nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=3875

Picture from http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/images/cc_dan_minchin_zebramussel.jpg

Fish & Game Regional Contact:

Jason Roberts [email protected] Office: (916) 358-2895 Fax: (916) 358-2912