FIRST RECORD OF THE NON-INDIGENOUS MUSSEL LIMNOPERNA FORTUNEI (BIVALVIA, MYTILIDAE) AS AN EPIBIONT OF THE CRAB TRICHODACTYLUS BORELLIANUS (DECAPODA, TRICHODACTYLIDAE)

ROJAS MOLINA. FLORENCIA; WILLINER VERONICA

CRUSTACEANA

BRILL ACADEMIC PUBLISHERS

Lugar: Leiden; Año: 2013 vol. 86 p. 682 - 692

0011-216X

In the area of Middle Paraná River, Argentina, in the pleuston community associated with the root of Eichhornia crassipes, an epibiosis of the non-indigenous mussel Limnoperna fortunei on the native crab Trichodactylus borellianus was occasionally recorded. The organisms were measured, weighed, and photographed. Attached molluscs were larger and heavier than its host crabs. This new interaction in the system was analyzed with regard to several biological and ecological characteristics of both species.