Range Expansion of the Green mussel, Perna viridis, along the West Coast of Florida

•First discovered in Tampa area power plant intakes July 1999

•Cultured intensively in Thailand and Philippines for food

•Probable ballast

• water introduction

• Surviving in cooler

• temperatures

Reproducing and spreading out of the bay

•

Perna viridis


	To summarize : They were first discovered in a Tampa area power plant July 1999.
	They are intensively cultured in Thailand and the Philippines.
	They are probably a ballast water introduction.
	They are reproducing and spreading out of the bay.