Hi Paul et al.,

Nuclear powerplants warm the water that they use for cooling, and the
discharged water can raise the temperature of streams locally. The plants
and animals in the water act as if it were a warm spring, and it is just
possible that non-native snail populations could become established there.
Does anyone have examples?

Of course, there are numerous cases where a spring (cold or hot) hosts a
unique population of snails, fish, crayfish, etc. The desert pupfish of the
Mojave comes to mind. But what about nuclear plants?

Eruditely and ecologically yours,
Andy

Andrew K. Rindsberg
Geological Survey of Alabama

-----Original Message-----
From: Conchologists List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Monfils, Paul
Sent: Thursday, September 08, 2005 10:39 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Thanks!


Actually, tropical or sub-tropical species introduced into Michigan do have
one "natural enemy" - cold!  I think it is unlikely that any such species
would survive the first Michigan winter it encountered.  On the other hand -
the fact you were able to collect three of them suggests that there is at
least a localized population of the species (very unlikely that someone
tossed three specimens into a pond and you found the same three).  Any
thoughts on this from our ecologically erudite members?

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