Settlement and recruitment of the mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis in artificial collectors on farming areas at Bombinhas, Brasil

Abstract

Santa Catarina stands out in the production of bivalve mollusks, such as mussels, due to the low cost and simplicity of cultivation. However, the presence of the exotic mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis, and its potential competition with the species Perna perna, raises concerns about the possible ecological and economic impacts. The field experiment on mussel seed collection observed the simultaneous presence of P. perna and M. galloprovincialis, in addition to other benthic invertebrates. Although the average number of individuals per collector was similar between species, M. galloprovincialis showed stronger recruitment from July 2022 onwards. The exotic mussel showed greater initial development, but did not indicate a direct impact on seed fixing on cultivation ropes. The study suggests that M. galloprovincialis may be adapted to local conditions and represent an economic opportunity for local marine aquaculture, while the potential environmental impact should be monitored.