Quagga and
Picture from http://nas.er.usgs.gov/taxgroup/mollusks/zebramussel/zebra_gallery.asp
Mussels
Quagga mussels
were found on the
hull of a boat at
Lake Tahoe on
August 22.
Quagga and Zebra Mussels
Quagga mussel
Zebra mussel
1 inch
Picture from http://nas.er.usgs.gov/taxgroup/mollusks/zebramussel/quagga_gallery.asp
2 inches
1980
s
200
8
2007-8
200
7
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.jpg
http://www.keeplakepowellmusselfree.com/images/500_Sailboat4.jpg
Quagga/zebra mussels can….
• 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.
Pictures from:
http://www.zeestop.com/images/mussels_in_pipe.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3d/Zebra_mussel_GLERL_4.jpg
http://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
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
Fish & Game Regional Contact:
Jason Roberts
JDROBERTS@dfg.ca.gov
Office: (916) 358-2895
Fax: (916) 358-2912
Picture from http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/images/cc_dan_minchin_zebramussel.jpg