Chave pictórica para identificação dos bivalves do baixo Rio Aripuanã, Amazonas, Brasil (Sphaeriidae, Hyriidae e Mycetopodidae)

Starting from freshwater mussels sampled mainly during low water seasons of 2004 and 2007, on the lower Aripunã River, a tributary from Madeira River, from the Amazon Basin, a pictorial key for the species identification is presented. Eleven taxa, ten to species level, were identified

Variação espacial do comprimento e do peso úmido total de Limnoperna fortunei (Dunker, 1857) no delta do rio Jacuí e lago Guaíba (RS, Brasil)

Amostras de agregados de mexilhões dourados (Limnoperna fortunei) foram coletadas em janeiro de 2005, em quatro estações de coleta situadas no Delta do Jacuí, Arroio das Garças (DAG) e Canal do Jacuí (DCJ); lago Guaíba, Praia do Veludo (GPV) e Porto das Pombas (GPP), no estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Foram mensurados em comprimento e em peso úmido total 180 indivíduos de mexilhão dourado de cada estação de coleta. Por meio do teste não paramétrico de Kruskal-Wallis (α = 0,05), seguido de múltiplas comparações (SNK), não foram verifi cadas diferenças significativas para as variáveis peso úmido (p = 0,912)e comprimento (p = 0,247) entre as estações de coleta GPV e GPP. No entanto, DAG e DCJ diferenciaram-se entre si e entre as demais estações (p < 0,001). Possivelmente as diferenças encontradas podem estar relacionadas às características ambientais dos diferentes ecossistemas (correnteza, disponibilidade de alimento, etc.) e a ação da predação

Quali-quantitative first data of golden mussel, Limnoperna fortunei (Dunker), in Jacuí Delta, Guaíba Lake and Patos Lagoon and some invasion aspects

At the end of 1998 and the beginning of 1999, the golden mussel Limnoperna fortunei (Dunker, 1857), Mytilidae, originating from Southeast Asia, was registered for the first time in the Guaíba Lake Basin, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Quantitative samples were taken since the first register and for two years at various localities in the Jacuí Delta, northern limit of Guaíba Lake, and in the south limit of the later where it empties into Patos Lagoon. Samplings in Patos Lagoon revealed the presence of L. fortunei in October 2000 at Arambaré (30º54’S, 51º30’W) and in January 2001 at São Lourenço do Sul (31º20’S, 51º58’W). Quantitative samplings on roots of water hyacinths Eichhornia azurea (Sw.) Kunth and E. crassipes (Mart.) Solms-Laubach, on rhizomes of rushes Scirpus californicus (C.A. Mey.) Steud. and on trunks of Cephalanthus glabratus (Spreng.) K. Schum, were made in Jacuí Delta and on the beaches of Vila de Itapuã and Pombas camping area, in the Municipality of Viamão. Limnoperna fortunei encreased in number to a maximum density of 27,275 individuals/m2 one year and five months after the first register and 62,100 individuals/m2 two years later. In November 2000, i.e., two years after the appearance of the species in Guaíba Lake, it was recorded the first macrofouling in the pipes catching water for the city of Porto Alegre and in filters and pipelines of the cellulose industry Riocell-Klabin, Municipality of Guaíba (30º06’S, 51º20’W). Limnoperna fortunei preferentially occur on rhizomes of rushes, initially forming flat clusters that grow to large mass. It also fix on the shells and soft parts of native bivalves and on shells and operculum of gastropods, prevening full closure of these mollusks. The recent decrease of rushy areas on the shores of Guaíba Lake is attributed to invasion of L. fortunei.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Testing a molecular protocol to monitor the presence of golden mussel larvae (Limnoperna fortunei) in plankton samples

The golden mussel (Limnoperna fortunei, Mollusca: Mytilidae) is an emerging invasive species in freshwater environments in South America, causing extensive environmental and economic impacts. A molecular method to detect larvae of the golden mussel in plankton samples has been recently developed and holds promise for becoming an important way to monitor the expansion of golden mussel populations. In the present study, we conduct, for the first time, field tests of this method by comparing its performance with alternative sampling efforts (microscopy and manual search for adults). In addition, we test different modifications of the molecular method to deal with PCR inhibition in environmental samples. The results indicate that the molecular method is very efficient, being faster and more sensitive that microscopy methods. Therefore, the molecular method tested in the present study can represent an invaluable tool in large-scale monitoring efforts of the golden mussel throughout its introduced range.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Bivalve distribution in hydrographic regions in South America: historical overview and conservation

Based on literature review and malacological collections, 168 native freshwater bivalve and five invasive species have been recorded for 52 hydrographic regions in South America. The higher species richness has been detected in the South Atlantic, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Amazon Brazilian hydrographic regions. Presence or absence data were analysed by Principal Coordinate for Phylogeny-Weighted. The lineage Veneroida was more representative in hydrographic regions that are poorer in species and located West of South America. The Mycetopodidae and Hyriidae lineages were predominant in regions that are richest in species toward the East of the continent. The distribution of invasive species Limnoperna fortunei is not related to species richness in different hydrographic regions there. The species richness and its distribution patterns are closely associated with the geological history of the continent. The hydrographic regions present distinct phylogenetic and species composition regardless of the level of richness. Therefore, not only should the richness be considered to be a criterion for prioritizing areas for conservation, but also the phylogenetic diversity of communities engaged in services and functional aspects relevant to ecosystem maintenance. A plan to the management of this fauna according to particular ecological characteristics and human uses of hydrographic regions is needed.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse