BIOLOGICAL PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT OF PLANTIGRADE LARVAE OF Limnoperna fortunei (BIVALVIA: MYTILIDAE) UNDER THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT ANTI-FOULING COATINGS

• Grant number: 24/08842-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Sanitary Engineering - Water Resources
• Principal Investigator: Daercy Maria Monteiro de Rezende Ayroza
• Grantee: Laura Fernanda Dias
• Host Institution: Instituto Agronômico (IAC). Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios (APTA). Secretaria de Agricultura e Abastecimento (São Paulo - Estado). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Accidental introduction of the mollusk Limnoperna fortunei, commonly known as the golden mussel, in South America was quickly followed by a series of environmental and economic impacts, including in Brazil. It is a species with broad tolerance to environmental factors, exhibiting rapid dispersion and population growth. The final larval stage (plantigrade larvae) and juvenile and adult individuals adhere to practically any consolidated substrate, including native species. Considerable encrustations of these organisms have been observed in Brazilian reservoirs, which, besides causing alterations in the structure and functioning of these ecosystems, result in significant economic impacts, jeopardizing energy supply and quality water provision. Fish production in net cages has also been affected by these encrustations because the presence of mussels on the net restricts water exchange and increases the risk of diseases in fish, besides causing deformation of the farming structures. Mussel removal from the nets is usually carried out with high-pressure washing pumps, which has contributed to increasing fish production costs. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop and apply control methods for the golden mussel in aquaculture areas to ensure the economic viability of these enterprises. This research project aims to evaluate the effect of applying anti-fouling coatings on net cage screens on the biological performance of Limnoperna fortunei plantigrade larvae by analyzing their abundance and body size.