Dispersion and ecological impact of the invasive freshwater bivalve Limnoperna fortunei in the R?o de la Plata watershed and beyond

DEMETRIO BOLTOVSKOY, NANCY CORREA, DANIEL CATALDO Y FRANCISCO SYLVESTER

BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS

springer

Lugar: Alemania; Año: 2006 vol. 8 p. 963 - 974

1387-3547

Limnoperna fortunei is a freshwater bivalve that invaded South America through Rý´o de la Plata estuary inis a freshwater bivalve that invaded South America through Rý´o de la Plata estuary in 15 1989 and has since become a major macrofouling pest. Along the Parana´ -Paraguay waterway, which hosts1989 and has since become a major macrofouling pest. Along the Parana´ -Paraguay waterway, which hosts 16 intense boat traffic, L. fortunei has moved upstream at an average rate of of 250 km per year. In contrast,intense boat traffic, L. fortunei has moved upstream at an average rate of of 250 km per year. In contrast, 17 along the Uruguay river, where boat traffic is restricted to the lowermost 200 km section, upstream col-along the Uruguay river, where boat traffic is restricted to the lowermost 200 km section, upstream col- 18 onization is almost 10-times slower. This suggests that attachment to vessels is by far the most importantonization is almost 10-times slower. This suggests that attachment to vessels is by far the most important 19 dispersion mechanism. It is suggested that the Amazon, Orinoco and Magdalena basins are under high riskdispersion mechanism. It is suggested that the Amazon, Orinoco and Magdalena basins are under high risk 20 of invasion by this mussel, especially through their estuarine gateways. All South American basins hostof invasion by this mussel, especially through their estuarine gateways. All South American basins host 21 innumerable water bodies with favorable conditions for L. fortunei’s colonization. Known ecological tol-innumerable water bodies with favorable conditions for L. fortunei’s colonization. Known ecological tol- 22 erance limits of the mussel also suggest that it may colonize much of the area from Central America toerance limits of the mussel also suggest that it may colonize much of the area from Central America to 23 Canada, including waters that due to their low calcium contents, high temperature and pollution levels, andCanada, including waters that due to their low calcium contents, high temperature and pollution levels, and 24 low oxygen are inadequate for the survival of Dreissena polymorpha. Despite it’s remarkable geographiclow oxygen are inadequate for the survival of Dreissena polymorpha. Despite it’s remarkable geographic 25 expansion and its extremely high population densities, L. fortunei’s ecological effects have received veryexpansion and its extremely high population densities, L. fortunei’s ecological effects have received very 26 little attention so far. It is suggested that the 2.4-fold increase in Argentine landings of freshwater fishlittle attention so far. It is suggested that the 2.4-fold increase in Argentine landings of freshwater fish 27 between 1992–1993 and 2000–2001 may be associated with the introduction of this prey species.between 1992–1993 and 2000–2001 may be associated with the introduction of this prey species.