Meeting Abstract

P3.94  Saturday, Jan. 5  Salinity Tolerance of Mytella charruana, a New Invasive Mussel in the Southeastern United States YUAN, W*; WALTERS, LJ; HOFFMAN, EA; SCHNEIDER, KR; University of Central Florida; University of Central Florida; University of Central Florida; University of Central Florida SAMuniverse6@aol.com

Non-native species are a threat to native species when they enter new ecosystems due to their potential ability to outcompete native species. Mytella charruana, a newly invaded mussel in coastal waters in the southeastern United States may be a threat to native mussels and native oysters if it can withstand a wider range of environmental conditions than the natives. To begin to determine the environmental conditions under which M. charruana is viable, we need to understand the biology and physiology of this invasive species. Therefore, a laboratory experiment was conducted to test the salinity tolerance range of this mussel. Specifically, we examined survival at 5, 14, 23, 31, and 40 ppt (5 replicate tanks of each treatment, 25 mussels per tank). The experiment ran for 38 days, including a 10-day acclimation period in which salinities were raised or lowered from the field salinity (31.5 ppt) at the collection location in Jacksonville, FL. Total mortality in each tank was recorded every day. Our data suggest that the Mytella charruana can survive in a wide range of salinities (5- 40 ppt), but have a higher survival rate in salinities between 5- 23 ppt. This research is important because invasive species cannot be controlled until we understand what environmental conditions facilitate their survival.