Zebra Mussel

Scientific name: Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas, 1771)

Common name: Zebra Mussel

Native To: Eurasia

Date of U.S. Introduction: 1988

Images: Invasive.org and Google and Zebra Mussel Images (Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database)

Video: Boat Owners - How to Prevent Zebra Mussels (or click Play button below)

Means of Introduction: Ballast water

Impact: Competes with native species; clogs pipes

Current U.S. Distribution:

• Current Zebra Mussel Sightings Distribution (updated daily)
• Zebra Mussel Query by State
• Zebra and Quagga Mussels map

Management Plans: Aquatic Species / Zebra Mussels and Dreissena species

Selected Internet Resources:

• Federal Government
• State Government
• University/Academic
• International
• Organizations

Dreissena polymorpha
Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
Taxonomy

Zebra Mussel Research Program
DOD. USACE. Engineer Research and Development Center. Environmental Laboratory.
Illustrations; Distribution; Research; Special Note: Conference information

Zebra Mussel Information System (ZMIS)
DOD. USACE. Engineer Research and Development Center. Environmental Laboratory.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Life Cycle; Distribution; Controls; Special Note: Extensive references

Developing Environmentally Sound Methods and Strategies to Control Zebra Mussels at Public Facilities (Mar 1994; PDF | 30 KB)
Sea Grant Nonindigenous Species.
Impacts; Controls
Proceedings of the Fourth International Zebra Mussel Conference, Madison, Wisconsin

Dreissena polymorpha Article Citation Search - AGRICOLA Database
USDA. National Agricultural Library.
Research; Special Note: NAL Catalog Search (resources)

Zebra Mussel
DOI. USGS. Great Lakes Science Center.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Life Cycle; Distribution; Controls; Research

Dreissena polymorpha - Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database and Zebra and Quagga Mussel Information Resource Page
DOI. USGS. Southeast Ecological Science Center.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Distribution; Special Note: Distribution maps and collection information (State and County)

Zebra Mussels
DOI. USGS. Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Distribution; Dispersion; Research

Quagga and Zebra Mussels
California Department of Fish and Game.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Distribution; Controls

Zebra Mussel Watch Program
California Department of Water Resources. Environmental Services.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Impacts; Distribution; Controls

Zebra Mussels
Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Fish and Fishing.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Illustrations; Introduction History; Impacts; Distribution

Zebra Mussels
Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Distribution

Latest Hot Topic: Zebra Mussel
Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.
Identification/Description; Introduction History; Impacts;Distribution; Controls

Zebra Mussels: Missouri's Most Unwanted
Missouri Department of Conservation.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Illustrations; Introduction History; Impacts

Zebra Mussels - Environmental Fact Sheet (PDF | 87 KB)
New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.
Identification/Description; Illustrations; Introduction History; Impacts; Habitat; Distribution; Controls

Zebra Mussel Information
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Aquatic Nuisance Species Program.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Distribution; Legal Aspects; Special Note: Also available in PDF format, ready to print and distribute

Invasive Musssels: Threats and Prevention Efforts in Utah
Utah Wildlife Division of Wildlife Resources.
Identification/Description; Photographs; ; Impacts; Life Cycle; Distribution; Controls

Zebra Mussels
Vermont Agency of Natural Resources. Environmental Conservation. Water Quality Division.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Illustrations; Impacts; Life Cycle; Distribution; Controls

Zebra Mussels
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Illustrations; Introduction History; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution

Alien Profile: The Zebra Mussel
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Illustrations; Introduction History; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution; Special Note: Suitable for schools

Quagga (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) and Zebra (Dreissena polymorpha) mussels
University of California - Riverside. Center for Invasive Species Research.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Distribution

Zebra Mussels - A Florida Perspective (PDF | 244 KB)
Florida Sea Grant College Program.
Identification/Description; Illustrations; Introduction History; Impacts; Distribution

Zebra Mussel - Exotic Aquatics of the Gulf Coast
Louisiana Sea Grant. Louisiana Marine Education Resources.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Habitat; Distribution; Controls

Zebra Mussel - Invasive Species in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Workshop (May 2002)
Maryland Sea Grant.
Photographs; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution; Controls

Zebra Mussels a Threat to Maryland Waters
Maryland Sea Grant.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Distribution; Dispersion; Controls; Special Note: Includes contacts

Zebra Mussel Mania! - Educational Resources: Information for Students and Teachers
MIT. Sea Grant Center for Coastal Resources.
Identification/Description; Impacts; Special Note: Traveling trunk for use with grades 5-6

Zebra Mussel
Minnesota Sea Grant.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Illustrations; Introduction History; Impacts

Aquatic Invaders: Zebra Mussel (PDF | 465 KB)
National Sea Grant College Program; Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution; Dispersion; Controls

Zebra Mussel - Exotic Aquatics on the Move
National Sea Grant Network and Geographic Education Alliances.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Distribution; Controls

Dreissena spp. - National Aquatic Nuisance Species Clearinghouse
New York Sea Grant; Cornell University; DOC. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; State University of New York.
Taxonomy; Identification/Description; Photographs; Illustrations; Introduction History; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution; Dispersion; Controls; Research; Special Note: Includes information products for sale and bibliographies

Zebra mussel - Introduced Species Summary Project
Columbia University. Center for Environmental Research and Conservation.
Taxonomy; Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat; Controls

Aquatic Invasive Species and Zebra Mussels
Ohio Sea Grant College Program.
Introduction History; Impacts; Life Cycle; Distribution; Controls; Special Note: Includes publications, newsletter, links to other resources, research and contacts

Zebra/Quagga Mussel
Pennsylvania Sea Grant. Aquatic Invasive Species in Pennsylvania.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Habitat; Distribution; Dispersion; Controls

Zebra Mussels Pose a Threat to Virginia's Waters
Virginia Cooperative Extension.
Identification/Description; Introduction History; Impacts; Controls

The Zebra Mussel Page
Wayne State University.
Photographs; Illustrations; Life Cycle; Research; Special Note: Includes slide show

Zebra Mussels
University of Wisconsin Sea Grant.
Illustrations; Introduction History; Impacts; Controls; Special Note: Includes links to other Web sites, Zebra Mussel Update newsletter, and conference information

Dreissena polymorpha - Invasive Alien Species Fact Sheet (PDF | 217 KB)
North European and Baltic Network on Invasive Alien Species.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution; Dispersion; Controls

Zebra Mussel
Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (Canada).
Identification/Description; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution

Dreissena polymorpha (mollusc) - ISSG Global Invasive Species Database
World Conservation Union. Invasive Species Specialist Group.
Taxonomy; Identification/Description; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution; Controls

100th Meridian Initiative
100th Meridian Initiative.
Taxonomy; Identification/Description; Introduction History; Impacts; Distribution; Dispersion; Controls; Research

Dreissena polymorpha
Discover Life.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution; Dispersion; Controls

Zebra Mussels in the Great Lakes Region
Great Lakes Information Network.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Illustrations; Introduction History; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution; Dispersion; Controls; Research; Special Note: Photo and graphics libraries

Twenty Years of the Zebra Mussel
Great Lakes United.
Identification/Description; Introduction History; ImpactsDistribution

Zebra Mussels in the Rochester Area
RochesterEnvrionment.com.
Special Notes: Recent News, Resources

Zebra Mussel: Invader That Shook Federal Policy
National Environmental Coalition on Invasive Species.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Distribution