Lake Michigan Invasive Snail USA (wgvu) - CHICAGO (AP) - Scientists worry that a rapidly reproducing
invasive snail recently found in Lake Michigan could hurt the
lake's ecosystem.
The Illinois Natural History Survey says scientists checking
Lake Michigan water samples earlier this summer found a population
of New Zealand mud snails. They grow to only about 5 millimeters,
making them hard to spot.
Kevin Cummings of the Natural History Survey says the snails
reproduce asexually and in great numbers. That makes it difficult
to halt their spread.
Scientists say the snails could outcompete native aquatic life
for food and habitat and migrate down streams and rivers.
Mud snails have been found in all the Great Lakes except Lake
Huron. They've also turned up in the western United States.
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