First record of the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis (Bivalvia, Mytilidae) in Brazil

Abstract

The genus Mytilus comprises a large number of bivalve mollusk species distributed throughout the world and many of these species are considered invasive. In South America, many introductions of species of this genus have already taken place, including reports of hybridization between them. Now, the occurrence of the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis is reported for the first time from the Brazilian coast. Several specimens of this mytilid were found in a shellfish growing areas in Florianópolis and Palhoça, Santa Catarina State, Brazil. Morphological analysis of the shells and molecular analysis through sequencing of the cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) confirmed the taxonomic identification. The species is known for its great invasive potential and can become a major environmental problem for seafood business and coastal communities, as it can compete and even hybridize with local species.

First record of the exotic Indothais lacera (Gastropoda, Muricidae) in Brazil

“…As a result, transfer via ballast water in ships has acted as the main vehicle in the dispersion of bioinvaders across coastal environments (Wonham et al, 2001;Silva & Barros, 2011). For mollusks, in particular, Brazil has not been an exception, and several recent discoveries have been made in coastal marine environments, including gastropods, bivalves and a chiton (Simone & Gonçalves, 2006;Breves-Ramos et al, 2010;Rocha et al, 2013;Oliveira et al, 2017;Spotorno-Oliveira et al, 2018Amaral et al, 2019;Gernet et al, 2019;Belz et al, 2020;Jardim & Pedro, 2021).…”

Ecological state of the environment and phenotypic characteristics of mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1873 in the Neum Bay (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

“…One of the most important breeding species is the mussel Mytillus galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1873, which is cited to be the first mollusk breeding species in Europe (Tamburini et al, 2020). For breeding purposes, it was introduced to the southern hemisphere (New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Chile), the Pacific Ocean (Fofonoff et al, 2021), and was recently found in Brazil (Belz et al 2020). Species of the genus Mytilus Linnaeus, 1758 are present in all seas and oceans, which resulted in significant variability in shell shape and other characteristics influenced by habitat conditions.…”