Scientists wish mollusk-munching redear sunfish can re re solve problem with pests in valley’s water source that is main

Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009 | 2 a.m.

Dead quagga mussels are clustered for a rock at Lake Mead just last year. The mollusks discharge toxins that may move up the system.

Redear sunfish

• Understood aliases: Chinquapin, Shellcracker, Mason Bream, Tupelo Bream, Mongrel Bream, Yellow Bream, Stumpknocker, GI (Government Enhanced) Bream
• The basic dorsal coloration is olive with darker specks.
• Redear depend mostly on mollusks for food and don’t compete heavily with insect-eating seafood. Redear have actually very developed grinding teeth — or shell crackers — in their throats. One’s teeth crush snails, their fare of preference.
• Redear are typically based in the United that is southeast States but have now been introduced into a few states. Their normal range is from the Mississippi River basin in Indiana and Missouri south into the Gulf Coast.
• Redear sunfish can go beyond 10 ins in length and weigh over 4 pounds, making them sport fish that is popular.
• Sources: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

Refresher course: The mussel risk

Mussels absorb toxins and metals that are heavy the pond water and later expel them as highly concentrated pellets. Toxins could then enter the system whenever base dwellers eat the pellets. Quagga mussels may also create more favorable conditions for algae that will contaminate normal water with toxins.

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Nature seemingly have a brightly solution that is colored the quagga mussel intrusion at Lake Mead.

The redear sunfish is sat on the subs bench become introduced whilst the possible savior associated with Las Vegas Valley’s water source that is main.

UNLV biologist David Wong, the region’s chief quagga fighter, has very long suspected that seafood appetite will be the best solution into the clam infestation. He’s because much a seafood specialist as he’s a mussel specialist, having acquired a degree that is bachelor’s fisheries and a doctorate in aquatic ecology before you take in invasive mussels. Continue reading Popular sport seafood could re re solve Lake Mead’s clam infestation →