Population sampling of the golden mussel, Limnoperna fortunei (Dunker, 1857), based on artificial ceramic substrate

Abstract

The ceramic substrate (21cm in length, 6cm in width and 1.3cm in depth) was tested for the Limnoperna fortunei population, sampling at two localities in the Jacuí delta (Jacuí Canal (Canal do Jacuí – CJ) and Port Docks (Cais do Porto – PO)) in Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. The individuals were quantified through the superimposition of a squared (1cm2) and segmented (sI, sII e sIII) sheet on the substrate. Using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitnney, the recruit and adult average densities were compared in each segment, surface (smooth and pipe-shaped) and sampling locality (? = 0.05). In CJ, the extreme and intermediate (adult) segments differed statistically (p < 0.0001), as well as the ceramic substrate surfaces (recruits) (p = 0.04). The recruit and adult densities between the CJ and PO localities also differed between themselves (p < 0.0001). The method was efficient for the invasive population sampling.