7790

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7790
• Author: Tyus, H. M., W. P. Dwyer and S. Whitmore.
• Title: Feasibility of Preventing Further Invasion of the Zebra Mussel into the Western United States.
• USFW Year: 1993.
• USFW - Doc Type: \
• Copyright Material: NO

VECTORS
VECTOR, A TERM W/DELY USED BY HEALTH ORGAN/ZAT/ONS~ /S USED HERE TO /DENT/FY THE
ACT/VE OR PASS/VE MEANS BY WHICH THE ZEBRA MUSSEL /S MOVED OR CARR/ED FROM ONE
LOCAT/ON TO ANOTHER.
ust as the mosquito is a vector or
carrier of many diseases, seagoing
vessels, contaminated bait buckets, and
others are examples of vectors or carriers
of the zebra mussel. In most cases, the
spread of the zebra mussel through a
pathway requires a separate vector. The
i mosr. obvious exception is the down-
stream drift of the organism in a stream.
(It could be reasoned, however, that the
stream and water flow constitute the
pathway and vector).
There are many vectors that are
responsible, or potentially responsible,
for the spread of zebra mussel in the
environment. Carriers can be inten-
tional or unintentional. For the
purposes of this document we will deal
mainly with unintentional spread by
commercial and recreational vessels,
commercial fishing nets and equip-
ment, sport fishing boats and equip-
ment, transfer of water by trucks,
pumping in pipes and canals, airplanes,
and amphibious equipment. However
it is also possible that some intentional
introduction might occur. As a case in
point, aquariur dealers in the Denver
metropolitan area have sold another
exotic mollusc, the Asiatic clam
(Corbicula fluminea) to hobbyists, and
its invasion of (~herry Creek Reservoir
there might be due to escapement, or
release from aquaria (Dr. Cal McNabb,
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Personal
Communication, 1993). The zebra
mussel, because of its brighter colors
~ and its ability to attach to the sides of
aquaria, may enter into the aquarium
trade.
Transport of adult and larval zebra
mussels by boat and trailer is consid-
ered amajor problem for the West.
Many people trailer boats and motors
across the country for fishing tourna-
ments, recreational fishing, and
pleasure boating. Adult zebra mussels
may be attached to hulls, motors, or in
motor compartments. Larvae may
occur in live wells, bilge water, or in