Molecular methods confirm the presence of the alien mussel Perna viridis Linnaeus, 1758 (Bivalvia, Mytilidae) in Southern Brazil

The mussel Perna viridis, commonly known as the green mussel, is native from the Indo-Pacific region and has been introduced in various sites around the globe. In Brazil, the species has already been recorded in Rio de Janeiro and Ceará states. With the aim of assessing the presence of mussels in the southern region of the country, 14 individuals were collected in the Paranaguá Estuarine Complex, Paraná. The mussels were found attached at a depth of 2 meters on the artificial structure of Ponta do Poço Marina. The DNA was extracted using a commercial kit, the COI gene was amplified through PCR by the primers forward dgLCO-1490 and reverse dgHCO-2198, sequenced by the Sanger method, assembled in CLC Genomics Workbench, and the species was identified through the BOLD Systems. The phylogenetic tree was built on MEGA11 using 28 sequences from three species within the genus Perna. Therefore, the present study represents the first to confirm the occurrence of the exotic species Perna viridis in Brazil through molecular identification and characterizes the third Brazilian state where the mollusk has been recorded. This indicates that Brazilian coastline provides optimal environmental conditions for the establishment and development of the P. viridisEl mejillón Perna viridis, comúnmente conocido como mejillón verde, es nativo de la región del Indo-Pacífico y ha sido introducido en varios lugares alrededor del mundo. En Brasil, la especie ya ha sido registrada en los estados de Río de Janeiro y Ceará. Con el objetivo de evaluar la presencia de mejillones en la región sur del país, se recolectaron 14 individuos en el Complejo Estuarino de Paranaguá, Paraná. Los mejillones fueron encontrados fijados a una profundidad de 2 metros en la estructura artificial de la Marina Ponta do Poço. El ADN fue extraído utilizando un kit comercial, el gen COI fue amplificado mediante PCR con los cebadores forward dgLCO-1490 y reverse dgHCO-2198, secuenciados mediante el método Sanger, ensamblados en CLC Genomics Workbench, y la especie fue identificada a través de los Sistemas BOLD. El árbol filogenético fue construido en MEGA11 utilizando 28 secuencias de tres especies dentro del género Perna. Por lo tanto, el presente estudio representa el primero en confirmar la presencia de la especie exótica Perna viridis en Brasil mediante identificación molecular y caracteriza al tercer estado brasileño donde el molusco ha sido registrado. Esto indica que el litoral brasileño proporciona condiciones ambientales ideales para el establecimiento y desarrollo del P. viridis.O mexilhão Perna viridis, comumente conhecido como mexilhão-verde, é nativo da região do Indo-Pacífico e foi introduzido em vários locais ao redor do mundo. No Brasil, a espécie já foi registrada nos estados do Rio de Janeiro e Ceará. Com o objetivo de avaliar a presença de mexilhões na região sul do país, foram coletados 14 indivíduos no Complexo Estuarino de Paranaguá, Paraná. Os mexilhões foram encontrados fixados a uma profundidade de 2 metros na estrutura artificial da Marina Ponta do Poço. O DNA foi extraído usando um kit comercial, o gene COI foi amplificado por PCR pelos primers forward dgLCO-1490 e reverse dgHCO-2198, sequenciados pelo método Sanger, montados no CLC Genomics Workbench, e a espécie foi identificada através dos Sistemas BOLD. A árvore filogenética foi construída no MEGA11 usando 28 sequências de três espécies dentro do gênero Perna. Portanto, o presente estudo representa o primeiro a confirmar a ocorrência da espécie exótica Perna viridis no Brasil através de identificação molecular e caracteriza o terceiro estado brasileiro onde o molusco foi registrado. Isso indica que o litoral brasileiro fornece condições ambientais ideais para o estabelecimento e desenvolvimento do P. viridis

Influência do ambiente na estrutura de tamanho e biomassa da Emerita brasiliensis (Schimitt, 1935) na praia Brava e Guarda do Embaú

Emerita brasiliensis is an important species of Brazilian macrofauna, they are inhabitants of the intertidal areas, and have important components that enable their use as biological indicators environmental. Therefore, the objective was to analyze the relationship between population and size of individuals of Eremita brasiliensis, comparing two beaches on the coast of Santa Catarina, being Praia brava in Itajaí, with an increasing level of urbanization and Guarda do Embaú Beach in Paulo Lopes, which has a stationary degree. The collections took place in March and September 2016, with the sample area parallel to the sand and intertidal strips for a systematic sampling observing the estimated time for low tide. For collection, a 20cm diameter PVC cylinder was used and buried at a depth of 20cm. The samples were arranged in a 0.5mm opening mesh and sent to the laboratory, where the organisms of the genus Emerita brasiliensis were separated and identified for the measurement of biomorphometric data, observing the lateral diameter and rostro-caudal length of the carapace. The biomass weighing was performed before and after the drying procedure, performed in a controlled temperature oven at 37ºC for 48 hours. For statistical analysis, the ANOVA test was used. Based on the individuals collected, it is observed Guarda do Embaú beach with more individuals when compared to Brava Beach. Statistical data show a significant difference between the months and the beaches, which is justified by the state of conservation of Guarda do Embaú beach, which remains static due to its low urbanization. Therefore, it is concluded that the difference between Emerita Brasiliensis communities is due to changes in local dynamics, such as anthropic trampling and sediment change. The results were not accurate due to the low number of samples, but are significant and relevant for further research

List of Conchifera identified during a beach nourishment project in Balneário Camboriú, Brazil

In 2021, a beach nourishment project was carried out in Balneário Camboriú, during the process, it was found the presence of 53 taxa of Conchifera associated with the sediment dredged from the borrowing area. This source area is located 15 kilometers away from the Praia Central and has an average depth of 31m. The organisms were found on the beach without life, indicating that the borrow area consists in a bank rich of allochthonous biodetritus.In 2021, a beach nourishment was carried out in Balneário Camboriú, during the process, it was found the presence of 53 taxa of Conchifera associated with the sediment dredged from the borrowing area. This source area is located 15 kilometers away from the Praia Central and has an average depth of 31m. The organisms were found on the beach without life, indicating that the borrow area consists in a bank rich of biodetritus

Variação espaço-temporal da comunidade bentônica do rio Itajaí-Mirim, Itajaí (SC), nos canais original e retificado

The rectified channel was installed in the Itajaí-Mirim river in the mid-1960s to increase the river flow in the urban area of Itajaí, which suffers from flooding and inundation during periods of high precipitation. The present study aimed to evaluate the spatio-temporal variations of the benthic macrofauna of the Itajaí-Mirim river, in the original and rectified channels. The distribution of organisms was evaluated with samples collected at four points, two located in the natural channel and two in the rectified channel, during the four seasons of 2021. At each sampling point, with a van Veen dredge, three samples were collected for macrofauna and one for granulometric characterization. In total, 715 individuals were identified, and distributed in eight taxa. PERMANOVA revealed that the differences observed in the abundance of organisms considering seasonality were not significant, however, they were significant between the channels. The rectified channel exhibited 67% of the total abundance of the analyzed fauna. In this region, the organic matter and CaCO3 exhibited the highest concentrations and the sediment was classified as silt, while in the natural channel, the granulometry varied between fine sand and silt. The oligochaete Tubificida was the most abundant organism, representing 97% of the fauna. Considered tolerant, this organism inhabits freshwater sediments with low oxygen concentration and high organic carbon load. The low richness of the community and the high dominance of Tubificida characterized the evaluated region as a highly altered environment