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Zebra mussels invade Lake Erie muds

January 1, 1998

Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) originated in western Russia but have now become widespread in Europe and North America. They are widely known for their conspicuous invasion of rocks and other hard substrates in North American and European watersheds. We have found beds of zebra mussels directly colonizing sand and mud sediments each year across hundreds of square kilometres of North America's Lake Erie. This transformation of sedimentary habitats into mussel beds represents an unforeseen change in the invasive capacity of this species.

Publication Year 1998
Title Zebra mussels invade Lake Erie muds
DOI 10.1038/29902
Authors Paul Arthur Berkman, Melissa A. Haltuch, Emily Tichich, David W. Garton, Gregory W. Kennedy, John E. Gannon, Scudder D. Mackey, Jonathan A. Fuller, Dale L. Liebenthal
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Nature
Index ID 1000628
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Great Lakes Science Center