What is the Golden Mussel?

  Limnoperna fortunei is a freshwater bivalve that invaded South America, through the Plata Basin, through the Rio de la Plata, Argentina, in 1991.

History and Distribution

  Limnoperna fortunei dispersed quickly upstream throughout the Plata Basin, at an estimated speed of 240 km per year.

Problems caused in the Natural Environment

  It attaches to any kind of hard substrate, displacing native species and creating a favorable microenvironment for other species. It also modifies native fish's diets.

Problems caused in the human environment

  It invades industries' water systems, water-treatment plant, generating plants, etc. causing severe macrofouling problems.

Economical impact

  Industries are forced to face new expenses produced by the macrofouling problems in fresh water.

Preventing Spreading

  Preventing and slowing down the spreading of the golden mussel is essential to avoid macrofouling and damage to fishing industry, tourism and nautical sports.

Control and prevention
  A combination of strategies must be implemented to prevent the species from entering the Plant and setting there, and/or removing it.

Counseling done

  The Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo (La Plata National University, Argentina) has a Third Party Services Program to provide counseling in all the aspects of control and prevention of macrofouling to Mercosur member countries.

Macrofouling Services Consultant

  Dr. Gustavo Darrigran, at Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo (La Plata National University, Argentina) leads a research team that works on biology and control/prevention strategies to counter the negative effects of this invading species.

Distinctions and prizes
  Distinctions and prizes obtained for progress the research about Limnoperna fortunei's biology and it's control and prevention in the human environment.

Meetings

  Meetings where our scientists deal with the problems of this invasion.

Bibliography