What problems are the mussels causing to the food chains of the ecosystems they e invading?
Most of the biological impacts of zebra mussels in North America are not yet known. However, information from Europe tells us that zebra mussels have the potential to severely impact native mussels (also known as clams) by interfering with their feeding, growth, locomotion, respiration, and reproduction. Researchers are observing some of these effects as they study interactions between zebra mussels and native mussels in the Great Lakes. In one study they determined that where zebra mussel densities were highest in Lake St. Clair and in the western basin of Lake Erie, the number of native mussels had dramatically declined. This difference was seen after only two years of zebra mussel colonization. Other studies have shown an inverse correlation between zebra mussel biomass and native mussel density. Scientists in the Great Lakes region have been using models that may predict the degree of native mussel mortality based on zebra mussel densities. Unfortunately, research shows zebra musse
