The population increase of Mytilus cf. edulis platensis in marine farms of Bombinhas, Santa Catarina, Brazil

Abstract

The bivalve species Mytilus cf. edulis platensis (d’Orbigny, 1846) is getting established in marine mussel farms from Santa Catarina and its prevalence, in the municipality of Bombinhas, is calculated and discussed. The dominance of M. cf. edulis platensis over P. perna was found in 14 of the 20 marine farms sampled, in a percent occurrence rate of 69% of mytilid and 31% of native Perna perna. The increase in population may be related to its capacity to adapt, caused by environmental changes due to global warming.