Researchers at the University of Minnesota produced the first U.S. genetic-sourcing map for zebra mussels by combining DNA sequencing with invasion-scenario modeling. The study found that several low-traffic lakes unexpectedly served as local sources of infestations, while many early introductions traced to the Great Lakes and Mississippi River. The team will publish the data in a public interactive database and plans to extend the method across the Upper Mississippi River Basin to guide targeted prevention efforts.
Genetic Map Reveals Unexpected Sources of Zebra Mussel Spread Across Minnesota Lakes
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Zebra mussels are one of North America's most damaging aquatic invaders, reshaping freshwater ecosystems and imposing heavy costs on infrastructure. A new study from researchers at the University of Minnesota Genomics Center and the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center uses genomic data to trace how these mussels have spread across Minnesota — producing the first U.S. genetic-sourcing map for the species.
How the Study Was Done
The team combined DNA sequencing of zebra mussel populations with invasion-scenario modeling to reconstruct likely pathways of introduction and local spread. Their results, published in Scientific Reports, identify source populations and reveal unexpected patterns of movement between lakes.
Key Findings
"We have presented here, for the first time, an analysis of genomic variation in ZM populations in MN inland lakes, the Great Lakes, the UMR, and tributaries,"
— the research team.
Among the most surprising discoveries was that several low-traffic lakes — not only high-traffic recreational waters — served as likely local sources that seeded nearby infestations. The analysis also traces many early introductions back to the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River, as well as to a few lakes that were infested earlier and later became regional sources.
Why This Matters
Understanding where invasions originate and how they spread is critical for targeting prevention and rapid-response efforts. Zebra mussels, native to Eastern Europe and Asia, first appeared in U.S. waterways in the 1980s and have since spread rapidly, outcompeting native species and fouling intake pipes and infrastructure. According to government and industry estimates, the power and water sectors can spend tens of millions of dollars annually to manage pipe-clogging mussels.
Next Steps and Data Sharing
The researchers are releasing their results via a public, interactive database so conservation managers, water utilities, and private stakeholders can use the genetic-sourcing information to prioritize surveillance and prevention. The team also plans to expand the genomic-sourcing approach across the Upper Mississippi River Basin to refine regional management strategies.
Implication: Targeted monitoring of both high-traffic and unexpectedly important low-traffic lakes will improve the chances of keeping remaining waterbodies zebra-mussel-free.
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