The «mejillón cebra» (zebra mussel), an invasive exotic and very harmful species, has been discovered in the river Segura by the environmental association, ANSE, in Calasparra.
This mollusk, that originates from the Black Sea and and Caspian Sea, is considered the most harmful of the exotic invasive species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (UICN). It is a two valve mollusk with a triangular shell and represents a significant threat to the ecosystem of the river as a dangerous competitor for aquatic native fauna.
The first larvas of the zebra mussel were discovered in the river Segura in 2019. Its prinicipal impact on the ecosystem and economic resources is due to to its rapid spread creating colonies and blocking ducts and pipes. It is a grand consumer of phytoplankton, altering the quality of the water and displacing other native species. Moreover it has a negative effect on tourism and recreational activities as it covers slopes and the river banks near masses of water where it proliferates.
The first larvas of the zebra mussel were discovered in the river Segura in 2019. Its prinicipal impact on the ecosystem and economic resources is due to to its rapid spread creating colonies and blocking ducts and pipes. It is a grand consumer of phytoplankton, altering the quality of the water and displacing other native species. Moreover it has a negative effect on tourism and recreational activities as it covers slopes and the river banks near masses of water where it proliferates.
