What is the natural habitat for the zebra mussel, *Dreissena polymorpha*?
Answer
The freshwater systems of Eurasia
The native range of the zebra mussel is situated across the Atlantic Ocean, specifically rooted in the freshwater environments of Eurasia. This geographic area includes the Black Sea, the Caspian Sea, and the Azov Sea, along with their interconnected river and lake systems. It was within these original environments that the species evolved the significant hardiness and reproductive efficiency that characterizes it as a successful invader in other parts of the world.
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