DIRECTIONS:In
this lesson you will research how an invading organism (the
zebra mussel) aggressively inhabits new environments. The
zebra mussel is an environmental hazard to native aquatic
species.
There
are ten questions. The answers are available by going to the
specified links which appear in a color different from the
text. Click on the maroon word; the new information will appear
in the empty frame at the bottom of the monitor screen.
Record
your information on index cards or paper.
Procedure:
1. Describe
the characteristics
of a zebra mussel shell. Is it a bivalve or a univalve? Is
it a gastropod or a cephalopod ?
2. Approximately
how many eggs
does a female zebra mussel produce per year?
3. Draw
a diagram that shows the development of a zebra mussel
larvae, or veliger.
4. How
do zebra
mussels attach themselves to hard surfaces?
5.
Link to
the page that shows the spread
of zebra mussels.
U.S.
Distribution Maps : click Distribution
and scroll down to U.S. Distribution Maps Click
on each year to obtain a map that shows the annual distribution
and spread. Use a different map color for each year. Draw
the information for each year on your map.
6. Label
the major rivers and bodies of water.
7. Analyze
the map and explain what you think influences the directions
the zebra mussel spreads.
8. Where
did the mussel come from and how did it get to North
America?
9. What
are the major ways in which the mussel is being spread in
North America?
10. Use
geometric progression or formulas for exponential growth to
calculate how many offspring from one male and one female
zebra mussel would exist in an area after three years. Assume
that the female lays 1,000,000 eggs per year and all of the
larvae survive.
11. Play
the Web of Life
Game with your class discuss the following issues.
Discussion
of Issues:
1. In
your opinion, what would be the best way(s) to control further
migration of the zebra mussel.
2. What
are some other organisms that have spread into North America
in recent years?
3. Describe
the environmental influences that cause the zebra mussel to
spawn so effectively.
4. Do
you suppose the zebra mussel will be found along the Gulf
Coast of Texas in the near future?
Predict
the river - route the mussel will most likely follow to invade
the area in which you live.
5. Develop
a one minute commercial which will alert the people living
in our community to the impending zebra mussel invasion.
