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Lobby > Exhibits > Hot Spring Ecology > Hydrothermal Influx in Fresh Water > New Zeland Mud Snails Hydrothermal InfluxNEW ZEALAND MUD SNAILS
New Zealand mud snails, first found in Yellowstone in 1994, are now present in many of the park's streams. The mud snails are abundant in the Firehole River downstream of the thermal additions, but almost nonexistent in the upstream portion. Researchers think the numbers and distribution of New Zealand mud snails are determined more by changes in the river's chemistry rather than by temperature changes. Also algae, a major food source for the mud snails, are much more abundant in the thermally-influenced parts of the Firehole River. The effect of the mud snails on fish is not fully known, although studies indicate that the snails can pass through a trout unharmed, while offering no nutritional value. The snails also consume algae, an important food source for fish.  Next | 1 > 2 > 3 > 4 > 5 | Next Section: Microbes 
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