zebra mussel

noun

|Updated on: 16 May 2018

Definition of zebra mussel

: a chiefly freshwater Eurasian lamellibranch mollusk (Dreissena polymorpha) that was accidentally introduced into the Great Lakes and has spread to other waterways where it colonizes and clogs water intake pipes and competes with native fish for food

Recent Examples of zebra mussel from the Web

Aquatic invasive species like zebra mussels have caused serious harm to the Great Lakes, costing more than $200 million in damages, according to Molly Flanagan, Alliance for the Great Lakes vice president for policy.

— sheryl devore, Lake County News-Sun, "Volunteers, officials, consultants share strategies for healthy lakes," 15 Apr. 2018
Transporting zebra mussels, dead or alive, also is prohibited.

— shannon tompkins, Houston Chronicle, "Boaters key to slowing invasive species," 3 Mar. 2018
There is no such hope of eradication or even modest control for Texas waters infested with zebra mussels.

— shannon tompkins, Houston Chronicle, "Boaters key to slowing invasive species," 3 Mar. 2018
Sampling last fall found larvae of quagga or zebra mussels at Tiber Reservoir in north-central Montana.

— keith ridler, idahostatesman, "Invent a new way to kill off invasive mussels, and this $100,000 could be yours," 20 Feb. 2018
For instance, invasive zebra mussels can out-compete native species and even clog water intakes, and invasive aquatic weeds, like water hyacinth or hydrilla, can choke out native plants and even fish.

— the nature conservancy, Country Living, "7 Ways You Can Help Keep Our Water Sources Clean," 15 June 2017
Last week, however, Mr. Burzynski’s group found one of the models lying upside down on the rocky lake bed and covered in zebra mussels.

— ian austen, New York Times, "Hunting for a Canadian Legend: the Avro Arrow Jet Fighter," 13 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'zebra mussel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.