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
|
|
| Ecosystem engineers |
 |
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
| |
¿Qué es el GIMI?
|  |
|
| |
Videos
|  |
Researchers
|
|
| |
