Global range expansion of the Asian mussel Limnoperna fortunei (Mytilidae): Another fouling threat to freshwater systems

Abstract

The Asian freshwater mussel Limnoperna fortunei was first documented as a major fouling pest when it colonized Hong Kong's water supply system in the late 1960s. It has since fouled municipal waterworks and power plant cooling systems in Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and most recently, in South America. Dense accumulations of byssally‐attached mussels obstruct flow in water conduits, causing impacts similar to those of the Eurasian zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha). Limnoperna has demonstrated potential for global range expansion through the oceanic transport of its planktonic larvae in ship ballast tanks. Therefore, unless effective controls are imposed upon ballast‐water transport, the mussel will continue to invade and impact aquatic systems on other continents. Given that shipping traffic from both Asia and South America has already resulted in recent introductions of exotic bivalves to the USA, a future North American invasion by L. fortunei is highly probable.