EVALUATING THE BIOLOGICAL PERFORMANCE OF JUVENILES AND ADULTS OF Limnoperna fortunei (BIVALVIA: MYTILIDAE) UNDER THE ACTION OF DIFFERENT ANTI-FOULING COATINGS.

• Grant number: 24/08878-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): October 01, 2024
• Effective date (End): September 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Sanitary Engineering - Water Resources
• Principal Investigator: Daercy Maria Monteiro de Rezende Ayroza
• Grantee: Matheus Rufino Seferin
• 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 mollusc Limnoperna fortune, commonly known as the golden mussel, in South America was quickly followed by a series of environmental and economic impacts, including Brazil. This species exhibits broad tolerance to environmental factors, with rapid dispersion and population growth. In its final larval stage, juveniles and adults, it adheres to virtually any consolidated substrate, including native species, leading to significant encrustations responsible for the observed impacts. Economic losses occur in water treatment plants and hydroelectric power stations, where production processes must be halted to clean filters and pipelines. Fish production in net cages has also been affected by these encrustations, as the presence of mussels on the net restricts water exchange, increases the risk of diseases in fish, and deforms farming structures. Their removal from the nets, typically done using high-pressure pumps, increases fish production costs. Therefore, the development and application of control methods for the golden mussel in aquaculture areas are crucial for the success of these enterprises. This research project aims to evaluate the effect of applying anti-fouling coatings on screens on the biological performance of L. fortunei, through the analysis of aspects such as growth, reproduction, and population ecology. For this purpose, morphometric measurements of shells will be carried out, and the somatic growth of individuals and cohort production over a year using the von Bertalanffy equation will be analysed.