An alternative method to assess individual growth of the golden mussel (Limnoperna fortunei) in the wild

The invasive freshwater bivalve Limnoperna fortunei is native to Chinese and Southeast Asian rivers and creeks. The impact of L. fortunei in South America involves both the human and the natural environments. Larvae and juveniles enter water systems of the drinking water plants and cooling systems of industries and power plants where they settle, mature, and produce macrofouling problems. Life cycle studies are undertaken in temperate region plants in order to gather basic information to develop strategies for control of L. fortunei. Individual growth of L. fortunei cohorts using experimental enclosures is recorded. The growth curve obtained shows that L. fortunei grows at a higher rate than recorded previously in works carried out in man-made facilities and natural environments along the coast of the Rio de la Plata.