Urban effluents affect the invasive bivalve Limnoperna fortunei (Dunker 1857) fitness in a large Pampasic river (Río Negro, Uruguay).

Abstract

Invasive alien species (IAS) exert a negative impact on native ecosystems and on various human activities. Limnoperna fortunei (Dunker 1857), a sessile mytilid introduced from Asia in the Río de la Plata, demonstrates a high dispersal capacity, growing over other organisms and artificial structures. Understanding its behavior is crucial for developing appropriate control and mitigating its detrimental effects. This study investigated the population dynamics of this mollusk in response to urban effluents in a large river. Water and population parameters of L. fortunei were measured both upstream and downstream of a small town from July to December 2020. Downstream areas exhibited increased temperature and decreased transparency compared to upstream locations, while pH, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen remained relatively constant. However, downstream, the L. fortunei population comprised fewer and smaller individuals, displaying high width-to-length ratios. Most measured water parameters exhibited significant differences between sampling months. The abundance of L. fortunei remained relatively stable over time due to its nearly continuous reproduction in Uruguay. Nonetheless, shell elongation (15.3-22.8mm) coincided with an increase in dry weight (0.009-0.038g) from winter to spring. Allometric relationships, primarily following a power-law model, varied between months, ranging from H = 0.39L1.04 to H = 1.36L0.57. This study contributes to the comprehension of the population dynamics and life history of L. fortunei, thereby aiding in the conservation of invaded aquatic systems. Moreover, it provides valuable insights into the effects of urban effluents on this species, contributing to our understanding of its potential role as a bioindicator.