New Zealand Invertebrates

DSC_3390 Freshwater mussel, or kakahi (Echyridella menziesii) our native freshwater mussels are in decline, with populations showing poor recruitment. Some of the decline may be because of collection by the pet trade for use in aquaria, but possible too because of the decline of a small native fish. These mussels have a tiny parasitic juvenile stage that attaches to the gills of fish, commonly the native koaro, whose numbers are declining because of predatory trout. Waipori River *

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DSC_3390 Freshwater mussel, or kakahi (Echyridella menziesii) our native freshwater mussels are in decline, with populations showing poor recruitment. Some of the decline may be because of collection by the pet trade for use in aquaria, but possible too because of the decline of a small native fish. These mussels have a tiny parasitic juvenile stage that attaches to the gills of fish, commonly the native koaro, whose numbers are declining because of predatory trout. Waipori River *

DSC 3390 Freshwater mussel kakahi Hyridella Echyridella menziesii native parasitic juvenile koaro Waipori River