<b>Feeding of <em>Limnoperna fortunei</em> (Dunker 1857): filtration rates with emphasis on Cyanobacteria use</b> - DOI: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v26i4.1523

Abstract

Limnoperna fortunei is an invasive species in South America. The massive growth of this species became a great problem for environment and for the companies that use raw water. Limnoperna fortunei is a filter-feeding mollusk that feed on phytoplankton and other suspended particles. Filtering mollusks are great toxin bioaccumulators. Then L. fortunei has a potential cyanotoxin bioaccumulation and transfer in the food chain. In this study, in vitro experiments showed that L. fortunei is able to feed on Cyanobacteria toxic species, Microcystis viridis and Pseudanabaena sp. The filtration rates were 17.20 and 24.52mL.mgDW^-1.h^-1, respectively. They were similar as for the Chlorophyta Selenastrum capricornutum – 11.91mL.mgDW^-1.h^-1. Results showed that cyanotoxins bioaccumulation by Limnoperna fortunei could be a future problem because of the high densities reached by these organisms and their feeding utilization by fish.