78
Views
0
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Research Articles

Settlement of the invasive mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis in a warm temperate estuarine embayment in South Africa

, & ORCID Icon
Pages 206-214 | Received 20 Apr 2020, Accepted 07 Oct 2020, Published online: 11 Feb 2021
 

Abstract

Mytilus galloprovincialis, a globally successful marine alien invasive species, occupies all artificial hard substrata in the embayment of the Knysna estuary, South Africa. The current study compared temporal and spatial settlement patterns of M. galloprovincialis within this environment. Settlement was monitored monthly from November 2015 to June 2017 at three locations within the embayment using plastic scouring pads. Each month the pads were deployed for seven days over a spring tide. Numbers of settlers differed significantly among sites and time. Peak settlement occurred in summer (December) and early autumn (February or March), but number of settlers varied between years possibly owing to differences in larval supply and/or environmental factors. During peak settlement, most M. galloprovincialis collected on the pads were primary settlers (<0.5 mm long). Settlement was greatest at the site closest to the entrance of the embayment (Thesen Island Wharf) and lowest at the site farthest away from the entrance of the embayment (Railway Bridge). Variation in settlement among sites and years could be a response to hydrographical conditions and/or environmental conditions and detailed studies on the planktonic phase are now required.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.