Zebra mussels are tiny clam-like organisms that strain plankton out of the lake water. They attach to piers, boat hulls, pipes, and any other available surface. They prefer attaching to surfaces in water that is 2 to 7 feet deep but have been found at depths of 180 feet in water temperatures ranging from 7 degrees Celsius to 32 degrees Celsius. They live mainly in freshwater with salinities (salt concentrations) of 0.21 to 1.47 parts per thousand (ppt), but they can live in estuaries with salinities up to 13.40 ppt. Given what is known about the diet of zebra mussels, which variables influence their fundamental niche?

Availability of Plankton

Explanation:

The term plankton comes from the Greek derivative planktos, meaning wandering. Organisms in this group spend either part or all of their life in a drifting state, with no ability to swim against a current. Most have little or no ability to swim at all. Though some are larger, most planktonic creatures are microscopic and make up the bottom of the food chain in aquatic environmentsPlankton can be divided into two categories: phytoplankton are those organisms that are plant-like, and zooplankton are organisms that are animal-like. Interestingly enough, many planktonic species are neither plant nor animal but are creatures that belong to the kingdom ProtistaZebra muscles are found in water bodies which attached to pipes and other surfaces of water supply to impliment the availability of plankton