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Re: NFC: ZM

Paul makes a very good point, and one that is not just true of aquatic 
animals.

When an organism becomes established in a new environment, it typically eats 
itself out of house and home, then dies back to a level that is sustainable. 
  This is especially true where there are no effective predators available.

Unfortunately, in the meantime native species suffer from the unwarranted 
competition.  Hopefully, there will be some native individuals of each 
species left to repopulate the environment after the ZMs calm down!

It would seem that native fish that prey on clams (freshwater drum, 
sturgeon, catfish, etc.) should be able to make a meal of the mussels.  
Perhaps they just need to learn that they are good to eat.

It also seems that the larval stage of the mussels would be a potential food 
source for young fish..?  Any thoughts on that?

tchau,

Scott


>From: "Paul Sachs" <deano at aquaculturestore_com>
>Reply-To: nfc at actwin_com
>To: <nfc at actwin_com>
>Subject: NFC: ZM
>Date: Thu, 5 Jul 2001 13:04:44 -0400
>
>Additional fractional cents worth:
>
>Most likely the ZM will follow the pattern of 99% of aquatic
>creatures.
>If it devastates it's food source (EI makes water pristine eating all
>zooplankton/phytoplankton), ZM will die back until the food source is
>plentiful again.
>
>AS far as salinity tolerance:   Could be the little buggers 'clam up
>for a week' ride a  boat and bingo! transplanted population.  I'll bet
>they can take some salinity - wouldn't venture a guess, but bunches of
>organisms can take a few thousand parts and show no signs of stress,
>so strictly fresh water is almost always a plus or minus Parts per
>thousand salinity.  Some organisms can go full sea water strength for
>periods of time....... mussel for thought :)
>
>Paul
>
>From Josh: The mussel grows and grows and grows, filtering out
>organic matter as a food source.  This is typically phtyo and
>zooplankton.
>As has been mentioned a few times, yes, they will remove pollutants,
>but
>will also remove much of the micro-foods located in the water.
>
>++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>Sachs Systems Aquaculture
>1185 Thompson Bailey Road
>St. Augustine FL  32084
>
>PHONE:  (904) 824 - 6308
>ICQ  :  4216428
>EMAIL:  Mailto:Deano at AquacultureStore_com
>web  :  http://www.AquacultureStore.com
>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: owner-nfc at actwin_com [mailto:owner-nfc at actwin_com]On Behalf Of
>flatwood
>Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2001 10:49 AM
>To: nfc at actwin_com
>Subject: Re: NFC: blue pike stuff, also ZMs
>
>
>i found a map on the net that showed the spread of the zm and they
>pretty
>much have covered the major (and minor???) waterways of the eastern
>usa.
>
> > ZMs are strictly freshwater. Ocean water would kill
> > them. And plankton stages would be more vulnerable to
> > salt.
> > Human society is very good at spreading problems. HIV,
> > zebra mussels, fungal infections, we have it all. But
> > I am sure that you knew that.
> >
> > Boo Radley, Saraland, Alabama
>
>

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