8/30/2023 0 Comments Mossballs downloadThese invaders have an economic impact too. Since zebra mussels multiply at a rapid rate and have no natural predators in the United States, they are quickly capable of spreading and overtaking lakes and rivers. Zebra mussels damage freshwater ecosystems by filtering nutrients and plankton out of the water and growing over native bottom dwelling species, which disrupts the food web and reduces the number of species able to thrive. Although small in size, these invaders pose a massive threat to American freshwater ecosystems and have caused devastating ecological consequences to waters they’ve invaded, including the Great Lakes. Zebra mussels are tiny, fingernail sized mollusks native to freshwater lakes in Eurasia. The contaminated moss balls are thought to be coming from contaminated shipments from Ukraine, according to Wesley Daniel, a fisheries biologist with the USGS. As of March 12th, zebra mussels found on moss balls have been reported in more than 30 states across the U.S. These moss balls, also known as marimo, are not actually a species of moss, but rather a species of green algae (Aegagropila linnaei) which is native to Northern Europe and Japan, and are popular as aquarium plants. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists were alerted to the presence of zebra mussels, a species of freshwater mussel invasive to American waters, attached to or inside of moss balls sold at pet stores as aquarium plants. Moss balls, also called marimo, are sold in the aquarium trade and have recently been found to contain zebra mussels, highly invasive species.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |