First confirmed record of Perna viridis (Bivalvia) in Northeast Brazil: green mussel invasion in Bahia State
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1590/SciELOPreprints.15817Keywords:
invasion, Taxonomic rigor, data validation, geographic distribution, morphometricsAbstract
Invasive alien species pose a primary threat to coastal biodiversity and ecosystem integrity. The Indo-Pacific green mussel, Perna viridis, is a prominent bioinvader whose documented range in Brazil was historically restricted to the South and Southeast. This study provides the first confirmed record of P. viridis in Northeastern Brazil, specifically at Enseada dos Tainheiros within Todos os Santos Bay (Bahia). Identification was based on diagnostic morphological traits, confirmed by a reniform posterior adductor muscle scar, a key feature that distinguishes it from native mytilids and resolves previous regional misidentifications. Biometric and ecological analyses revealed a strong correlation between biomass and structural growth, characterized by positive allometry (b = 1.24), alongside wide variation in the condition index (10.5–50.5), indicating high physiological plasticity. The population structure, comprising multiple cohorts, suggests continuous recruitment, signifying that the species is established and expanding within the study area. Its preference for artificial substrates highlights the role of anthropogenic vectors in facilitating its spread. These findings demonstrate that Todos os Santos Bay provides favorable conditions for P. viridis, positioning the region as a potential dispersal hub in Northeastern Brazil. Furthermore, this study reinforces the need for ongoing monitoring and management strategies to mitigate the ecological and socioeconomic impacts of this bioinvasion.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Walter Ramos Pinto Cerqueira, Gabriele Costa Ramos, Guilherme Mischur Nascimento, Yara Aparecida Garcia Tavares

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