Tolerance of Limnoperna fortunei (Dunker, 1857) (Bivalvia: Mytilidae) to aerial exposure at different temperatures

This work evaluates the tolerance of adult Limnoperna fortunei to aerial exposure at different temperatures. The aim was to contribute knowledge about factors, such as the mussel’s capacity for survival out of water over long periods, allowing the invasion of new environments after terrestrial transport. The analysis of the results revealed that the time of exposure to air influenced mortality at different temperatures throughout the experimental period ( P < 0.001). The time to reach 100% mortality at temperatures of 10°C, 20°C, and 30°C were 11, 6, and 3 days, respectively. Mussel mortality outside the water is directly related to air temperature, so the higher the temperature is, the greater the mortality. The results suggest that in the case of the land transport of structures biofouled with L. fortunei , this species can remain alive for 2 to 10 days, depending on the ambient temperature. Thus, aerial exposure may be used as a strategy to control the dispersal of the golden mussel. However, the time required for effective elimination of all individuals depends on the air temperature. The aerial exposure can also be used to periodically clean industrial systems and to eliminate the dispersion of propagules by vectors (e.g., transport of equipments/watercrafts).