Howells Freshwater Mussels App

FUTURE THREATS TO TEXAS MUSSELS• Zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) & quaggamussel (D. rostriformis bugensis)– These Old World exotics invaded North America inthe 1980s. Can harm & eliminate native mussels.– Zebra mussel invaded Lake Texoma (Red R.) andthe upper Trinity R. system in 2009.– Basin water transfers are likely to help spread it.• Asian lake or golden mussel (Limnoperna fortunei)– Not in North America, but likely to invade.• Harris mudcrab (Rithropanopeus harrisii)– Native estuarine crab now invading inland.• Multiple researchers in the same area– Efforts to coordinate field activities are limited.• Misinformation– Even some biologists (often new to the field) aredistributing misinformation.