Click on map for enlarged view. |
Green mussels are native to the Indo-Pacific from the
Persian Gulf to the Philippines, but have spread throughout the world since
World War II. In 1989, they were observed in Trinidad, in the southern
Caribbean. This was the first reported occurrence of this species
in the Atlantic basin. No one knows for sure how they arrived, but
the planktonic larvae of green mussels may have hitched a ride in ballast
water of ships. Green mussels were first reported in Tampa
Bay in 1999, and may have arrived from the southern Caribbean either as
larvae in ship ballast water, or as adults riding on vessel hulls.
Within two years, green mussels had spread as far south as Naples, Florida,
probably as larvae carried in coastal currents. In 2002, green mussels
also appeared in Pensacola, Florida, and in northeast Florida. These
jumps in distribution may represent additional introductions, again perhaps
on vessel hulls. We expect green mussels to continue spreading throughout
Florida. |
