Air exposure as a control mechanism for the golden mussel, Limnopema fortunei, (Bivalvia : Mytilidae)

摘要

We examined the response of the invasive freshwater bivalve Limnoperna fortunei to air exposure under different conditions of relative humidity, at 25.00 +/- 0,4degreesC. Survival of L. fortunei increased with relative humidity. Specimens exposed to air without humidity control (49 to 63% relative humidity) did not survive more than 120 hours, while those held in an elevated humidity environment survived up to 168 hours. Smaller mussels reached 100% mortality before larger ones. Consequently, in industrial systems colonized by L. fortunei, the periodic elimination of water for less than six days will not be an effective control mechanism.