Overview

Characteristics
Overview

Zebra mussels are small freshwater mussels native to eastern Europe and Russia. They are invasive elsewhere. Zebra mussels were first detected in the United States in the late 1980s and have spread rapidly throughout many rivers, lakes and reservoirs across the country. These mussels attach to hard surfaces in dense colonies, clogging water intake pipes, damaging infrastructure and outcompeting native aquatic species. Because zebra mussels filter large amounts of plankton, they disrupt food webs and decrease food for native species.

Scientific Name

Dreissena polymorpha
Common Name
zebra mussel
Kingdom

Location in Taxonomic Tree

Identification Numbers

TSN:

Characteristics

Characteristic category

Physical Characteristics

Characteristics
Size & Shape

Zebra mussels are about the size of a fingernail. Most adults measure 0.5 to 1.5 inches (1.3 to 3.8 cm) in length. Despite their small size, zebra mussels can form dense colonies of tens of thousands per square meter, causing major ecological and infrastructural damage.

Color & Pattern

Zebra mussels are named for the striped pattern of its shell. However, color patterns can vary to the point of having only dark or light colored shells with no stripes.

Geography

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