More than we bargained for: Zebra mussels transported amongst European native freshwater snails

By

Dickey, James
Brennan, Reid
Chung, Sheena
Jeschke, Jonathan
Steffen, Gregor
Briski, Elizabeta

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2023

Original Publication

NeoBiota : advancing research on alien species and biological invasions

Volume

83

Pages

1--10

Subjects

DNA sequencing , Dreissena polymorpha , hitchhikers , invasive species , pet trade , Viviparus viviparus

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sophia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.83.97647

 

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.