New Zealand mudsnails detected in Kent County stream

Invasive New Zealand mudsnails have been confirmed in Bear Creek, a coldwater tributary of the Thornapple River in Kent County, marking the first detection of the species in the southern Lower Peninsula. The discovery was made by Coldwater River Watershed Council volunteers during routine aquatic monitoring and verified by experts from Oakland University and Trout Unlimited.

The one-eighth-inch snails, native to New Zealand, reproduce asexually, allowing a single female to establish a population without fertilization. Because the species lacks natural predators in North America and can reach high densities, it threatens native invertebrate populations and reduces food availability for sport fish such as trout.

Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy biologists are conducting genetic testing to identify the source population and will continue sampling in Barry, Kent, and Ionia counties. Officials are urging recreational users to clean, drain, and dry all watercraft and gear to prevent further spread, as no effective treatments currently exist to eradicate the snails from infested areas.

Read the full story at michigan.gov.