Explosion In Invasive Tiger, Zebra Mussels In Thames Linked To Global Warming - BBC

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An "explosion" of alien mussels in the Thames has been caused by global warming, a scientist has said.
The population boom of zebra mussels was discovered during a study of a drained portion of the riverbed in south-west London.

The Russian species was first spotted in the Thames in 1824, but scientists believe the population growth has been caused by environmental changes. They can damage storm drains, pipes and boats by clinging together in reefs.

In November 2007, a study of 37 plots between Richmond Lock and Teddington Lock, carried out by researchers from the Marine Conservation Society, found up to 832 tiger mussels in a square metre. A previous count of the species by a team from the University of Cambridge found 25 zebra mussels "in a five-minute walk".

Jean-Luc Solandt, from the Marine Conservation Society, said: "We are probably seeing the start of a population explosion. "It depends on whether the conditions are right for them to reproduce and in the last 20 years those having been changing."

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http://www.canada.com/topics/technology/science/story.html?id=41aeca3c-30a6-4847-88cd-8b1bc8a29d9c