AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES
Ecological Impacts
Invasive species pose a significant threat to the waterways of North America. These non-native organisms can disrupt local food webs, outcompete native species, and degrade water quality and infrastructure. The ecological, economic, and recreational impacts are far-reaching, requiring sustained efforts to mitigate their effects. Read more about the species we are researching at Biomilab below.
ZEBRA MUSSEL
Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) were the first invasive mollusk discovered in the Great Lakes in the 1980s, likely spread through ship ballast water. The species has since spread to many inland lakes and rivers in Michigan. Zebra mussels quickly colonize new habitat by attaching to hardened surfaces, posing significant threats to infrastructure. Rapid reproduction allows the species to quickly outcompete native species for food and habitat.
QUAGGA MUSSEL
Quagga mussels (Dreissena bugensis) were introduced to the Great Lakes region shortly after zebra mussels. Quagga mussels are similar to zebra mussels, but are capable of colonizing deep lakes with soft sediment, making the species more adaptable and competitive in harsh waterbodies like the Great Lakes. The species has spread rapidly across the region, facilitated by their ability to attach to boats, trailers, and other equipment, as well as their high reproductive rate—females can produce up to one million eggs annually.
ASIATIC GOLDEN CLAM
The Asiatic golden clam (Corbicula fluminea) is a persistent invasive clam species found in many inland waterways in Michigan. The species rapidly and frequently reproduce through self-fertilization, and pose a significant threat to water quality and infrastructure. The species does not attach to hardened surfaces like zebra and quagga mussels, but burrows in sediment, often outcompeting native mussel species for food and habitat.
NEW ZEALAND MUD SNAIL
New Zealand mud snails (Potamopygrus antipodarum) are a small-bodied invasive gastropod recently discovered in the Great Lakes region. Mud snails are capable of outcompeting native mollusk species for both habitat and food sources, as the species quickly reproduces by asexual cloning. The species is difficult to detect and identify in surveys, making it a prolific invader.