Growth parameters of the invasive gastropod <i>Melanoides tuberculata</i> (Müller, 1774) (Gastropoda, Thiaridae) in a semi-arid region, Northeastern Brazil

Abstract

Melanoides tuberculata has invaded several aquatic ecosystems in the Neotropical region. This species shows high adaptive capacity and plasticity, establishing itself in several basins, promoting negative impacts on environments and native species. Here, we determine the growth parameters and the population structure of this species, in a semi-arid environment, in Northeast Brazil (Pernambuco state). Monthly captures were conducted at three types of substrate: site 1: soft bottom with macrophytes, site 2: soft bottom without macrophytes, and site 3: gravel and rocks. Shells were classified as occupied or empty, and their shell length (SL) and opening width (SW) were measured. The growth parameters of the von Bertalanffy's model were estimated from the size-length frequency distribution using the ELEFAN I. Also, the maturity was verified, through the size at onset of maturity (SOM-14.85 mm SL) proposed in the literature. A total of 1,013 individuals were collected, with shells varying from 7 to 39 mm SL and mean density of 84.42 (± 3.86) individuals m-2. The substrate with the largest number of mollusks was the site 1. Largest amount of empty shells was detected at site 3. Growth of M. tuberculata indicates rapid increment, with k = 0.56, L∞ = 42 mm and t0 =-0.26 years. The mean estimated age for the species was 0.95 years. According to the SOM, 86% of individuals sampled were considered mature.

Avaliação alométrica e da biomassa de Melanoides tuberculata (MULLER, 1774) como ferramenta para a avaliação da qualidade ambiental de reservatórios

“…Outros fatores que podem ter promovido o aumento do tamanho, pode ter sido a baixa competitividade, favorecida pela alta disponibilidade de alimento, também observada a partir das concentrações de clorofila-a, o que possibilita a melhor sobrevivência da espécie. Estudos prévios em reservatórios do semiárido indicam que esse molusco exótico domina frequentemente a fauna bentônica desses ecossistemas (Eskinazi-Sant' Anna et al 2006;Azevêdo et al 2015;Azevêdo et al 2017b;Oliveira et al 2019).…”

INVASION OF THE THIARID SNAIL Melanoides tuberculata (MOLLUSCA) IN A CONSERVATION AREA OF THE SEMIARID REGION OF BRAZIL

“…This invasive thiarid can reach high population densities in freshwater ecosystems (MANSUR et al, 2012;MMA, 2016;CHAGAS et al, 2018), affecting the structure of the native benthic community mainly due to competition for space and food sources (LADD; ROGOWSIK, 2012;MANSUR et al, 2012;BRAGA et al, 2014;MMA, 2016;PAULA et al, 2017;QUIRÓS-RODRÍGUEZ et al, 2018). Almeida et al (2018) and Oliveira and Oliveira (2019) also recorded high densities of M. tuberculata in reservoirs located in the semiarid region of the state of Pernambuco (northeast Brazil).…”

“…M. tuberculata is a parthenogenetic species and highly resistant to variations in environmental factors (e.g., salinity and temperature), which facilitates its dispersal and establishment in different habitats (DUGGAN, 2002;WEIR;SALICE, 2012;SANTOS et al, 2012;BARROSO et al, 2020). This thiarid snail can attain high population densities, exerting negative impacts on the structure of the ecosystem and native species (GIOVANELLI et al, 2005;LEÃO et al, 2011;LADD;ROGOWSKI, 2012;SANTOS et al, 2012SANTOS et al, , 2016BRAGA et al, 2014;AZEVEDO et al, 2015;OLIVEIRA;OLIVEIRA, 2019). These attributes encouraged the introduction of this species for the biological control of vectors of schistosomiasis from the genus Biomphalaria (e.g., POINTIER et al, 1989POINTIER et al, , 1991POINTIER et al, , 1993, but the results were usually unsuccessful (COWIE, 2001).…”

“…tuberculata is widespread throughout the Neotropical region (FERNANDEZ et al, 2003;GIOVANELLI et al, 2005;COELHO et al, 2018;MIYAHIRA et al, 2020). Populations of this species have greatly expanded over the years in both lentic and lotic water bodies of South America, especially freshwater ecosystems in Brazil (LEÃO et al, 2011;LIMA et al, 2013;COELHO et al, 2018;MIYAHIRA et al, 2020), including environmental protection areas of the semiarid region (PAZ et al, 1995;FERNANDEZ et al, 2003;ESKINAZI-SANT'ANNA, 2010;SOUTO et al, 2011;LIMA et al, 2013;GOMES, 2014;AZEVEDO et al, 2015;SANTOS et al, 2016;CHAGAS et al, 2018;;OLIVEIRA;OLIVEIRA, 2019;SILVA et al, 2019;BARROS et al, 2020). Although several records of occurrence are found, there is a need for further research to quantify the invasion potential of this species.…”

Conquiliometría del gasterópodo Melanoides tuberculata (Müller, 1774) (Gastropoda, Thiaridae) en la costa Norte-Noreste de Brasil

“…Este gasterópodo es muy polimórfico, con un rango de cuatro a 21 morfotipos. (Vogler et al 2012, Santos et al 2016) y presenta registros en la naturaleza de individuos de hasta 39 mm de longitud total de concha (Oliveira & Oliveira 2019). Su presencia en cuerpos de agua causa daños a la piscicultura, ya que colonizan tanques y viveros.…”