Post #3789486

Once zebra or quagga mussels get into a water body, it is very difficult to remove them. Many common molluscicides like copper or chlorine are also very harmful to other life forms. Pseudomonas fluorescens strain CL145A is a bacterium that produces a toxin highly specific to zebra and quagga mussels. It can be released as dead cells near the mussels, which ingest it, with the toxin destroying their digestive system. In this way it is similar to Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), which is valued for its very specific toxicity to certain insect pests. CL145A is specific enough that it has been used to kill zebra mussels smothering native freshwater mussels, leaving the native mussel unharmed! It is sold as a product called Zequanox, which hasn't been a huge hit due to its comparative expense compared to other solutions. It also can reduce dissolved oxygen in the water when applied indiscriminately. Scientists are trying to find similar targeted solutions that will kill invasive golden mussels, currently spreading through aqueducts and reservoirs in California. #clamFacts https://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2025/05/01/marrone-golden-mussels.html?rel=plus