More than we bargained for: zebra mussels transported amongst European native freshwater snails
Author: James W. E. Dickey, Reid S. Brennan, Sheena Suet-Wah Chung, Jonathan M. Jeschke, Gregor T. Steffen, Elizabeta Briski
Year: 2023
Digital Object Identifier: 10.3897/neobiota.83.97647
Type: Journal Article
Topic: Biology, Dispersal, Ecosystem Impacts
Abstract
The international pet trade is a major driver of non-native species spread, including species both sold in the trade, and organisms incidentally transported alongside. Here, we document the discovery of invasive zebra mussels, Dreissena polymorpha, in Germany, transported alongside a commonly traded garden pond snail and European native, Viviparus viviparus, ordered from a German pet website. We highlight that the trade poses yet another way in which zebra mussels and other invasive species can expand their invaded range into novel ecosystems. We call for stricter biosecurity enforcement towards sellers, and encourage raising awareness amongst customers to inhibit the further spread of invasive species through the pet trade.