Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The invasive bivalve Limnoperna fortunei enhances benthic invertebrate densities in South American floodplain rivers

  • Primary Research Paper
  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We assessed the effects of the introduced bivalve L. fortunei on the abundance and biomass of associated benthic invertebrates in South American large floodplain rivers. The survey was based on comparisons of L. fortunei-covered and L. fortunei-barren areas in five artificial cages from where large predators were excluded, exposed to colonization by the mussel for a total of 17 months in the lower Paraná river delta. Accompanying invertebrates were dominated by Oligochaeta, Nematoda, Rotifera, Copepoda, Gastropoda, Hirudinea, Chironomidae and nauplii. Also present in minor numbers were Tardigrada, Turbellaria, Cladocera, Ostracoda, Insecta, Hydracarina and Decapoda. Dominant invertebrates were 27–100% more numerous (and hosted 43–100% more biomass) in areas with L. fortunei than in areas barren of the mussel. In areas with L. fortunei, total invertebrate biomass (excluding the bivalve) was positively correlated with mussel biomass, and increased with time of exposure under water. No such trend was observed in areas barren of L. fortunei. It is suggested that higher invertebrate growth is associated with enhanced substrate complexity and, probably, the transfer of organic matter from the plankton to the sediments due to the mussels’ feces and pseudofeces. Some of the adverse ecosystem-wide effects of filter-feeding invasive mussels observed in European and North American water bodies may be offset in the Paraná by the extremely high loads of organic matter in these turbid waters.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Agostinho, A. A., N. S. Hahn, L. C. Gomes & L. M. Bini, 1997. Estrutura trófica. In Vazzoler, A. E. A. M. et al. (eds), A planície de inundação do alto rio Paraná: aspectos físicos, biológicos e socioeconômicos. Maringá: Eduem. cap. II. 6: 229–248.

  • Avelar, W. E. P., S. L. Martim & M. P. Vianna, 2004. A new occurrence of Limnoperna fortunei (Dunker 1856) (Bivalvia, Mytilidae) in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Brazilian Journal of Biology 64: 739–742.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Baker, S. M, J. S. Levinton, J. P. Kurdziel & S. E. Shumway, 1998. Selective feeding and biodeposition by zebra mussels and their relation to changes in phytoplankton composition and seston load. Journal of Shellfish Research 17: 1207–1213.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bially, A. & H. J. Macisaac, 2000. Fouling mussels (Dreissena spp.) colonize soft sediments in Lake Erie and facilitate benthic invertebrates. Freshwater Biology 43: 85–97.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boltovskoy, D., I. Izaguirre & N. Correa, 1995. Feeding selectivity of Corbicula fluminea (Bivalvia) on natural phytoplankton. Hydrobiologia 312: 171–182.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boltovskoy, D. & D. Cataldo, 1999. Population dynamics of Limnoperna fortunei, an invasive fouling mollusc, in the lower Paraná river (Argentina). Biofouling 14: 255–263.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boltovskoy, D., N. Correa, D. Cataldo & F. Sylvester, 2006. Dispersion and ecological impact of the invasive freshwater bivalve Limnoperna fortunei in the Río de la Plata watershed and beyond. Biological Invasions 8: 947–963.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bottrell, H. H., A. Duncan, Z. M. Gliwicz, E. Grygierek, A. Herzig, A. Hillbricht-Ilkowska, H. Kurasawa, P. Larsson & T. Weglenska, 1975. A review o some problems in zooplankton production studies. Norwegian Journal of Zoology 24: 419–456.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burlakova, L. E., A. Y. Karatayev & D. K. Padilla, 2006. Changes in the distribution and abundance of Dreissena polymorpha within lakes through time. Hydrobiologia.

  • Caraco, N. F., J. J. Cole, P. A. Raymond, D. L. Strayer, M. L. Pace, S. E. G. Findlay & D. T. Fischer, 1997. Zebra mussel invasion in a large, turbid river: phytoplankton response to increased grazing. Ecology 78: 588–602.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cataldo, D., I. O’Farrel, E. Paolucci, F. Sylvester & D. Boltovskoy, 2005. Efectos de Limnoperna fortunei sobre el fitoplancton y los nutrientes. Tercer Congreso Argentino de Limnología, Chascomús, 30 October 2 November 2005.

  • Darrigran, G., 2002. Potential impact of filter-feeding invaders on temperate inland freshwater environments. Biological Invasions 4: 45–156.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Darrigran, G. & C. Damborenea, 2005. A South American bioinvasion case history: Limnoperna fortunei (Dunker, 1857), the golden mussel. American Malacological Bulletin 20: 105–112.

    Google Scholar 

  • Darrigran, G., S. M. Martin, B. Gullo & L. Armendariz, 1998. Macroinvertebrates associated with Limnoperna fortunei (Dunker, 1857) (Bivalvia, Mytilidae) in Río de la Plata, Argentina. Hydrobiologia 367: 223–230.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • de Cabo, L., A. Puig, S. Arreghini, H. F. Olguín, R. Seoane & I. Obertello, 2003. Physicochemical variables and plankton from the Lower Delta of the Paraná River (Argentina) in relation to flow. Hydrological Processes 17: 1279–1290.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Depetris, P. J. & S. Kempe, 1993. Carbon dynamics and sources in the Paraná River. Limnolgy and Oceanography 38: 382–395.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dumont, H. J., I. Van de Velde & D. Dumont, 1975. The dry weight estimate of biomass in a selection of Cladocera, Copepoda and Rotifera from the plankton, periphyton and benthos of continental waters. Oecologia 19: 75–97.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eckblad, J. W., 1971. Weight-length regression models for three aquatic gastropod populations. American Midland Naturalist 85: 271–274.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feller, R. J. & R. M. Warwick, 1988. Introduction to the study of meiofauna. Chap. 13: Energetics. In Higgins, H. P. & H. Thiel (eds), Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, District of Columbia, USA, 181–196.

  • Ferriz, R. A., C. A. Villar, D. Colautti & C. Bonetto, 2000. Alimentación de Pterodoras granulosus (Valenciennes) (Pisces, Doradidae) en la baja cuenca del Plata. Revista del Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales 2: 151–156.

    Google Scholar 

  • García, M. L. A. & L. C. Protogino, 2005. Invasive freshwater molluscs are consumed by native fishes in South America. Journal of Applied Ichthyology 21: 34–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gardner, W. S., J. F. Cavaletto, T. H. Johengen, J. R. Johnson, R. T. Heath & J. B. Cotner Jr., 1995. Effects of the zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha, on community nitrogen dynamics in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron. Journal of Great Lakes Research 21: 529–544.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Greenwood, K. S., J. H. Thorp, R. B. Summers & D. L. Guelda, 2001. Effects of an exotic bivalve mollusc on benthic invertebrates and food quality in the Ohio River. Hydrobiologia 462: 169–172.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guerrero, R. A., C. Lasta, M. Acha, H. Mianzan & M. Framiñan, 1997. Atlas Hidrográfico del Río de la Plata. Comisión Administradora del Río de la Plata, Buenos Aires.

    Google Scholar 

  • González, M. J. & A. Downing, 1999. Mechanisms underlying amphipod responses to zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) invasion and implications for fish-amphipod interactions. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 56: 679–685.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haynes, J. M., 1997. Zebra mussels and benthic macroinvertebrate communities of Southwestern Lake Ontario and selected tributaries: unexpected results? Great Lakes Research Review 3: 9–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haynes, J. M., T. W. Stewart & G. E. Cook, 1999. Benthic macroinvertebrate communities in southwestern Lake Ontario following invasion of Dreissena: continuing change. Journal of Great Lakes Research 25: 828–838.

    Google Scholar 

  • James, W. F., J. W. Barko & H. L. Eakin, 1997. Nutrient regeneration by the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha). Journal of freshwater ecology 12: 209–216.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Johnston, T. A. & R. A. Cunjak, 1999. Dry mass-length relationships for benthic insects: a review with new data from Catamaran Brook, New Brunswick, Canada. Freshwater Biology 41: 653–674.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karatayev, A. Y., 1994. The Role of Zebra Mussels in Lake Ecosystems. Proceedings of The Fourth International Zebra Mussel Conference, Madison,Wisconsin, March 1994.

  • Karatayev, A. Y, D. Boltovskoy, D. K. Padilla & L. E. Burlakova, in press. The invasive bivalves Dreissena polymorpha and Limnoperna fortunei: parallels, contrasts, potential spread and invasion impacts. Journal of Shellfish Research.

  • Karatayev, A. Y., L. E. Burlakova & D. K. Padilla, 1997. The effects of Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas) invasion on aquatic communities in Eastern Europe. Journal of Shellfish Research 16: 187–203.

    Google Scholar 

  • Karatayev, A. Y, D. K. Padilla, D. Minchin, D. Boltovskoy & L. E. Burlakova, 2007. Changes in global economy and trade: the potential spread of exotic freshwater bivalves. Biological Invasions.

  • Klerks, P. L., P. C. Fraleigh & J. E. Lawniczak, 1996. Effects of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) on seston levels and sediment deposition in western Lake Erie. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 53: 2284–2291.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuhns, L. A. & M. B. Berg, 1999. Benthic invertebrate community responses to round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) and zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) invasion in Southern Lake Michigan. Journal of Great Lakes Research 25: 910–917.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lozano, S. J., J. V. Scharold & T. F. Nalepa, 2001. Recent declines in benthic macroinvertebrate densities in Lake Ontario. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 58: 518–529.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MacNeill, D. B., 2001. Biology and potential impacts of Limnoperna fortunei (Dunker). Dreissena! (The digest of the National Aquatic Nuisance Species Clearinghouse) 11: 1–5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Magoulick, D. D. & L. C. Lewis, 2002. Predation on exotic zebra mussels by native fishes: effects on predator and prey. Freshwater Biology 47: 1908–1918.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mason, C. F., 1977. Populations and production of benthic animals in two contrasting shallow lakes in Norfolk. Journal of Animal Ecology, 46: 147–172.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McEwen, G. F., M. W. Johnson & T. R. Folsom, 1954. A statistical analysis of the performance of the Folsom plankton sample splitter, based upon test observations. Archiv fűr Meteorologie, Geophysyk und Klimatologie A7: 502–527.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Montalto, L., O. B. Oliveros, I. Ezcurra de Drago & L. D. Demonte, 1999. Peces del Río Paraná Medio predadores de una especie invasora: Limnoperna fortunei (Bivalvia, Mytilidae). Revista de la Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas de la Universidad Nacional del Litoral 3: 85–101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morton, B., 1979. Freshwater fouling bivalves. In Britton, J. C., J. S. Mattice, C. E. Murphy & L. W. Newland (eds), Proceedings of the First International Corbicula Symposium, Texas Christian University Research Foundation, Fort Worth, Texas, 1–14.

  • Nalepa, T. F., D. J. Hartson, D. L. Fanslow, G. A. Lang & S. J. Lozano, 1998. Declines in benthic macroinvertebrate populations in southern Lake Michigan, 1980–1993. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 55: 2402–2413.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pace, M. L., S. E. G. Findlay & D. Fischer, 1998. Effects of an invasive bivalve on the zooplankton community of the Hudson River. Freshwater Biology 39: 103–116.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paolucci, E., D. Cataldo, C. Fuentes & D. Boltovskoy, 2005. Larvas de Limnoperna fortunei (Bivalvia) en la alimentacion de larvas de peces en el río Paraná. Tercer Congreso Argentino de Limnología, Chascomús, 30 October to 2 November 2005.

  • Pastorino, G., G. Darrigran, S. Martin & L. Lunaschi, 1993. Limnoperna fortunei (Dunker, 1957) (Mytilidae) nuevo bivalvo invasor en aguas del Río de la Plata. Neotropica 39: 101–102.

    Google Scholar 

  • Penchaszadeh, P. E., G. Darrigran, C. Angulo, A. Averbuj, M. Brogger, A. Dogliotti & N. Pirez, 2000. Predation of the invasive freshwater mussel Limnoperna fortunei (Dunker, 1857) (Mytilidae) by the fish Leporinus obtusidens Valenciennes, 1846 (Anostomidae) in the Río de la Plata, Argentina. Journal of Shellfish Research 19: 229–231.

    Google Scholar 

  • Phelps, H. L., 1994. The Asiatic clam (Corbicula fluminea) invasion and system-level ecological change in the Potomac river Estuary near Washington, D. C. Estuaries 17: 614–621.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ricciardi, A., 1998. Global range expansion of the Asian mussel Limnoperna fortunei (Mytilidae): another fouling threat to freshwater systems, McGill University. Biofouling 13: 97–106.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ricciardi, A., F. G. Whoriskey & J. B. Rasmussen, 1997. The role of the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) in structuring macroinvertebrate communities on hard substrata. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 54: 2596–2608.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Silver Botts, P., B. A. Patterson & D. W. Schloesser, 1996. Zebra mussel effects on benthic invertebrates: physical or biotic? Journal of the North American Benthological Society 15: 179–184.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stewart, T.W., J. G. Miner & R. L. Lowe, 1998a. Quantifying mechanisms for zebra mussel effects on benthic macroinvertebrates: organic matter production and shell-generated habitat. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 17: 81–94.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stewart, TW, J. G. Miner & R. L. Lowe, 1998b. Macroinvertebrate communities on hard substrates in Western Lake Erie: structuring effects of Dreissena. Journal of Great Lakes Research 24: 868–879.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stewart, T. W., J. G. Miner & R. L. Lowe, 1999. A field experiment to determine Dreissena and predator effects on zoobenthos in a nearshore, rocky habitat of western Lake Erie. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 18: 488–498.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stewart, T. W., T. L. Shumaker & T. A. Radzio, 2003. Linear and nonlinear effects of habitat structure on composition and abundance in the macroinvertebrate community of a large river. American Midland Naturalist 149: 293–305.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Strayer, D. L., N. F. Caraco, J. J. Cole, S. Findlay & M. L. Pace, 1999. Transformation of freshwater ecosystems by bivalves: a case study of zebra mussels in the Hudson River. Bioscience 49: 19–27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Strayer, D. L., K. A. Hattala & A. W. Kahnle, 2004. Effects of an invasive bivalve (Dreissena polymorpha) on fish in the Hudson River estuary. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 61: 924–941.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Strayer, D. L. & L. C. Smith, 2001. The zoobenthos of the freshwater tidal Hudson River and its response to the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) invasion. Archiv für Hydrobiologie Supplement 139: 1–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sylvester, F., D. Boltovskoy & D. Cataldo, in press. Fast response of freshwater consumers to a new trophic resource: Predation on the recently introduced Asian bivalve Limnoperna fortunei in the lower Paraná river, South America. Austral Ecology.

  • Sylvester, F., J. Dorado, D. Boltovskoy, A. Juárez & D. Cataldo, 2005. Filtration rates of the invasive pest bivalve Limnoperna fortunei as a function of size and temperature. Hydrobiologia 534: 71–80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thayer, S. A., R. C. Haas, R. D. Hunter & R. H. Kushler, 1997. Zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) effects on sediment, other zoobenthos, and the diet and growth of adult yellow perch (Perca flavescens) in pond enclosures. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 54: 1903–1915.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thorp, J. H., J. Alexander, B. Bukaveckas Jr., G. Cobbs & K. Bresko, 1998. Responses of Ohio River and Lake Erie dreissenid mollusc populations to changes in temperature and turbidity. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 55: 220–229.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank Mrs. Cintia Cantarini for logistical assistance. Gerardo Cueto helped with the statistical analysis. The following individuals identified or verified identifications of invertebrates: Susana José de Paggi (INALI, Santa Fe; Rotifera), Mercedes Marchese (INALI, Santa Fe; Oligochaeta), Silvina Menu Marque (Universidad de Buenos Aires; Copepoda), Cristina Marinone (Universidad de Buenos Aires; Cladocera), Daniel Roccatagliata (Universidad de Buenos Aires; Ostracoda and insects), Pablo Penchaszadeh (Universidad de Buenos Aires; Gastropoda) and Bettina S. Gullo (Universidad Nacional de la Plata; Hirudinea). This work was partially funded by grants UBA X096 and PICT 25275 to DB.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Pabellón II, 4° Piso, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Francisco Sylvester, Demetrio Boltovskoy & Daniel Cataldo

  2. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Avda. Rivadavia 1917, C1033AAJ, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Demetrio Boltovskoy & Daniel Cataldo

  3. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”, Av. Ángel Gallardo 470, C1405DJR, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Francisco Sylvester, Demetrio Boltovskoy & Daniel Cataldo

Authors
  1. Francisco Sylvester
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Demetrio Boltovskoy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Daniel Cataldo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Francisco Sylvester.

Additional information

Handling editor: D. Dudgeon

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sylvester, F., Boltovskoy, D. & Cataldo, D. The invasive bivalve Limnoperna fortunei enhances benthic invertebrate densities in South American floodplain rivers. Hydrobiologia 589, 15–27 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-007-0708-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-007-0708-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation