![]() ![]() Patterns of the growth of freshwater bivalve molluscs. Limnology and Oceanography 46: 892–904.Īlimov, A. Benthic-pelagic coupling over a zebra mussel reef in western Lake Erie. However, the introduction of round goby into the Great Lakes in the 1990s provided an important link between dreissenids and commercially and recreationally valuable fish species, increasing their productivity.Īckerman, J. The abundance of commercially important fishes declined as a result of the dramatic decrease in their main food deep water amphipods Diporeia, which has been outcompeted by exotic mussels. Strong benthic/pelagic coupling redirects food and energy from the water column to the bottom causing an increase in Secchi depth, decline in phosphorus, chlorophyll, phytoplankton and zooplankton biomass. After the proliferation of quagga mussels, benthic wet biomass (including molluscs shells) increased about two orders of magnitude and currently exceeds zooplankton biomass > 40-fold. At 90 m populations continue to increase even after 30 years of invasion. Invasion dynamics, growth, and reproduction of dreissenids in the Great Lakes are governed by lake morphometry. Walters expects CPW will have a clearer understanding of the mussel’s presence at Highline Lake within the coming weeks.We summarized over 30 years of research on zebra and quagga mussels in the Laurentian Great Lakes and compared with data from European and North American inland lakes. “That means that we have no mud, no water, no plants and no animals on our equipment.” “Make sure vessels are cleaned, drained and dry in between each and every use,” Walters said. Walters said boat owners should follow simple steps to help prevent the spread of zebra mussels. Wildlife officials will also follow up with boaters who visited the park prior to the mussel’s identification. Those checks will be added on top of the standard inspections for boats entering all Colorado waterways “Unfortunately, given that Highline is an open water system - meaning that we have water coming in and water coming out - there really are no viable chemical solutions that we could use to eradicate the species from the reservoir,” Walters said.ĬPW is inspecting and decontaminating all vessels leaving the park to make sure boats won’t spread the mussels, which can attach to any solid surface. But if a large population is discovered, there isn’t much CPW can do. ![]() So far, CPW has only found one zebra mussel, which doesn’t necessarily mean there's widespread infiltration. Walters said the department is sending staff to the lake northwest of Grand Junction so it can determine the full extent of the threat. They are filtering out the plankton, which is the basis of our aquatic food web,” CPW invasive species program manager Robert Walters said. “A single mussel can filter up to a liter of water per day, which may sound like a great thing, but it absolutely is not. That can lead to lakes being overrun with the shellfish, threatening native fish. The small freshwater mussel, native to lakes in Russia and Ukraine, is known for reproducing quickly. State biologists found the highly invasive species on a PVC pipe at Highline Lake during a routine sampling last week. Colorado Parks and Wildlife has identified a single adult zebra mussel for the first time in state history.
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