Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Invasion of an indigenous Perna perna mussel bed on the south coast of South Africa by an alien mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis and its effect on the associated fauna

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Biological Invasions Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The introduced mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis is progressively increasing in abundance along the south coast of South Africa. Quantitative 0.1 m2 samples were collected in the mid-zone of an indigenous Perna perna mussel bed in the 1980s prior to the arrival M. galloprovincialis (12) and in the 2000s during the M. galloprovincialis invasion (16). In addition, in situ counts of M. galloprovincialis were done on eight occasions between 1993 and 2005, and in the low- and high-zones on four occasions. In the mid-zone M. galloprovincialis was absent until 1987, its mean densities were low (< 15 individuals/0.1 m2) between 1993 and 1996, but thereafter increased steadily, peaking in 2004 (at 721 individuals/0.1 m2), before declining in 2005 (331 individuals/0.1 m2). The greatest densities of M. galloprovincialis were recorded at the high-zone (1121 individuals/0.1 m2) and the smallest in the low-zone. As M. galloprovincialis numbers increased, there was an associated, but smaller decline in P. perna numbers and the overall density of mussels increased significantly (P < 0.05). No major change was recorded in the size composition of P. perna. The density of associated fauna differed significantly (P < 0.01) between sampling dates with the lowest and highest values being recorded near the ‘beginning’ (2001) and ‘end’ (2005) of the invasion period respectively. These differences were largely due to variations in the density of barnacles, and the toothed barnacle Chthamalus dentatus appeared to be the only associated faunal species that was directly affected by the M. galloprovincialis invasion, experiencing a significantly (P ≤ 0.05), but temporary decline in density and biomass values.

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
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Archambault P, Bourget E (1999) Influence of shoreline configuration on spatial variation of meroplanktonic larvae, recruitment and diversity of benthic subtidal communities. J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 238:161–184

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Attwood CG, Allen J, Claassen PJ (2002) Nearshore surface current patterns in the Tsitsikamma National Park, South Africa. S Afr J Mar Sci 24:151–160

    Google Scholar 

  • Bownes S (2005) Habitat segregation in competing species of intertidal mussels in South Africa. PhD Thesis, Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, South Africa, 284 pp

  • Bownes S, McQuaid CD (2006) Will the invasive mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck replace the indigenous Perna perna L. on the south coast of South Africa? J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 338:140–151

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Branch GM, Steffani CN (2004) Can we predict the effects of alien species? A case-history of the invasion of South Africa by Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lamarck). J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 300:189–215

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Branch GM, Griffiths CL, Branch ML, Beckley LB (2005) Two oceans. A guide to the marine life of Southern Africa. David Philip, Cape Town, 360 pp

  • Brown AC, Jarman N (1978) Coastal marine habitats. In: Werger MJA, van Bruggen AC (eds) Biogeography and ecology of Southern Africa W Junk, The Hague pp 1241–1277

    Google Scholar 

  • Bustamante RH, Branch GM, Eekhout S, Robertson B, Zoutendyk P, Schleyer M, Dye A, Keats D, Jurd M, McQuaid CD (1995) Gradients of intertidal productivity around the coast of South Africa and their relationship with consumer biomass. Oecologia 102:189–201

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Calvo-Ugarteburu G, McQuaid CD (1998) Parasitism and introduced species: epidemiology of trematodes in the intertidal mussels Perna perna and Mytilus galloprovincialis. J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 220:47–65

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coetzee DJ, Zoutendyk P (1993) Species composition, distribution and standing stock of rocky-shore intertidal communities in De Hoop Marine Reserve. Bontebok 8:1–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Connolly SR, Roughgarden J (1998) A latitudinal gradient in Northeast Pacific intertidal community structure: evidence for an oceanographically based synthesis of marine community theory. Am Nat 151:311–326

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Crawford RJM, Bower DF (1983) Aspects of growth, recruitment and observation of the brown mussel Perna perna along the Tsitsikamma coast. Koedoe 26:123–133

    Google Scholar 

  • Crisp DJ (1971) Energy flow measurements. In: Holmes NA, Mc Intyre AD (eds) IBP Handbook No 16. Methods for the study of marine benthos pp 197–279 Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Denny M (1995) Predicting physical disturbance: mechanistic approaches to the study of survivorship on wave-swept shores. Ecol Monogr 65:371–418

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Erlandsson J, Pal P, McQuaid CD (2006) Re-colonization rate differs between co-existing indigenous and invasive intertidal mussels following major disturbance. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 320:169–176

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gauch HG (1995) Multivariate analysis in community ecology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Grant WS, Cherry MI (1985) Mytilus galloprovincialis Lmk. in southern Africa. J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 90(2):179–191

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Griffiths RJ, Buffenstein (1981) Aerial exposure and energy input in the bivalve Choromytilus meridionalis (Kr.). J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 52:219–229

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Griffiths CL, Hockey PAR (1987) A model describing the interactive roles of predation, competition and tidal elevation in structuring mussel populations. In: Payne AIL, Gulland JA, Brink KH (eds) The Benguela and comparable ecosystems, S Afr J Mar Sci 5:547–556

  • Griffiths CL, Hockey PAR, Van Erkom Schurink C, Le Roux PJ (1992) Marine invasive aliens on South African shores: implications for community structure and trophic functioning. In: Payne AIL, Brink KH, Mann KH, Hilborn R (eds) Benguela Trophic Functioning, S Afr J Mar Sci 12:713–722

  • Hammond W (2001) Factors affecting the infauna associated with mussel beds. MSc Thesis, Department of Zoology, University of Cape Town, South Africa, pp 104

  • Hammond W, Griffiths CL (2004) Influence of wave exposure on South African mussel beds and their associated infaunal communities. Mar Biol 144:547–552

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hockey PAR, Van Erkom Schurink C (1992) The invasive biology of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis on the southern African coast. Trans Roy Soc S Afr 48(1):123–139

    Google Scholar 

  • Iwasaki K (1995) Comparison of mussel-bed community between two intertidal mytilid Septifer virgatus and Hormomya mutabilis. Mar Biol 123:109–119

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leeb A (1995) Patterns of recruitment, growth and mortality of the mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis in relation to wave exposure and tidal elevation. MSc Thesis, University of Cape Town, South Africa, 99 pp

  • McQuaid CD, Phillips TE (2000) Limited wind-driven dispersal of intertidal mussel larvae: in situ evidence from the plankton and the spread of the invasive species Mytilus galloprovincialis in South Africa. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 201:211–220

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McQuaid CD, Lindsay JR, Lindsay TL (2000) Interactive effects of wave exposure and tidal height on population structure of the mussel Perna perna. Mar Biol 137:925–932

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Odum EP (1971) Fundamentals of ecology, 3rd edn. Saunders College publishing, Philadelphia, USA pp 574

    Google Scholar 

  • Rius VM (2004) The effect of the invasive mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis and human exploitation on the indigenous mussel Perna perna on the South Coast of South Africa. MSc Thesis, Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, South Africa, pp 203

  • Rius M, McQuaid CD (2006) Wave action and competitive interaction between the invasive mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis and the indigenous Perna perna in South Africa. Mar Biol 150(1):69–78

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roberts MJ, Van den Berg M (2005) Currents along the Tsitsikamma coast, South Africa, and potential transport of squid paralarvae and ichthyoplankton. Afr J Mar Sci 27(2):375–388

    Google Scholar 

  • Robinson TB, Griffiths CL, McQuaid CM, Rius M (2005) Marine alien species of South Africa–status and impacts. Afr J Mar Sci 27(1):297–306

    Google Scholar 

  • Seed R (1969a) The ecology of Mytilus edulis L. (Lammellibranchiata) on exposed rocky shores. I. Breeding and settlement. Oecologia 3:277–316

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seed R (1969b) The ecology of Mytilus edulis L. (Lamellibranchiata) on exposed rocky shores. II. Growth and mortality. Oecologia 3:317–350

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seed R (1992) Systematic evolution and distribution of mussels belonging to the genus Mytilus: an overview. Am Malacol Bull 9(2):123–137

    Google Scholar 

  • Seed R (1996) Patterns of biodiversity in the macro-invertebrate fauna associated with mussel patches on rocky shores. J Mar Biolog Assoc UK 76:203–210

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steffani CN, Branch GM (2003a) Spatial comparisons of populations of an indigenous limpet Scutellastra argenvillei and the alien mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis along a gradient of wave energy. Afr J Mar Sci 25:195–212

    Google Scholar 

  • Steffani CN, Branch GM (2003b) Temporal changes in an interaction between an indigenous limpet Scutellastra argenvillei and an alien mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis along a gradient of wave energy. Afr J Mar Sci 25:213–229

    Google Scholar 

  • Steffani CN, Branch GM (2003c) Growth rate, condition, and shell shape of Mytilus galloprovincialis: response to wave exposure. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 246:197–209

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Statistical Graphics Corporation (1989) Statistical Graphics System, Version 4.0. Statistical Graphics Corporation. USA

  • Suchanek TH (1980) Diversity in natural and artificial mussel communities of Mytilus californianus. Am Zool 20:807

    Google Scholar 

  • Suchanek TH (1985) Mussels and their role in structuring rocky shore communities. In: Moore PG, Seed R (eds) The ecology of rocky coasts Columbia University Press, New York pp 70–96

    Google Scholar 

  • Van der Elst R (1981) A guide to the common sea fishes of southern Africa C Struik, Cape Town, p 12

  • Van Erkom Schurink C, Griffiths CL (1990) Marine mussels of southern Africa—their distribution patterns, standing stocks, exploitation and culture. J Shellfish Res 9(1):75–85

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Erkom Schurink C, Griffiths CL (1991) A comparison of reproductive cycles and reproductive output in four southern African mussel species. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 76:123–134

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Erkom Schurink C, Griffiths CL (1993) Factors affecting relative rates of growth in four South African mussel species. Aquaculture 109:257–273

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Witman JD (1984) Ecology of rocky subtidal communities: the role of Modiolus modiolus (L) and the influence of disturbance and mutualism. PhD Thesis, University of New Hampshire, Durham

  • Zar JH (1984) Biostatistical Analysis, 2nd edn. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, pp 718

    Google Scholar 

  • Zardi GI, Nicastro KR, McQuaid CD, Rius M, Porri K (2006) Hydrodynamic stress and habitat partitioning between indigenous (Perna perna) and invasive (Mytilus galloprovincialis) mussels: constraints of an evolutionary strategy. Mar Biol 150:79–88

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

South African National Parks (SANParks) are thanked for financial and logistical support. I also gratefully acknowledge contributions of the following persons. R. M. Randall, for commenting on the draft manuscript, A. K. Riley for administrative help, D. Colenbrander, E. Kivett, L. Munyai and D. Joubert for field and laboratory assistance, and R. M. Fisher for help with the artwork. I am greatly indebted to the referees who provided detailed and constructive suggestions for improving of the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Conservation Services, South African National Park, Rondevlei, P.O. Box 176, Sedgefield, Western Cape, 6573, South Africa

    Nicholas Hanekom

Authors
  1. Nicholas Hanekom
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nicholas Hanekom.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hanekom, N. Invasion of an indigenous Perna perna mussel bed on the south coast of South Africa by an alien mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis and its effect on the associated fauna. Biol Invasions 10, 233–244 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-007-9125-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-007-9125-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation