Larvae of invasive mussles in the diet of fish larvae

What is it about?

This paper showed, for the first time, the positive impacts of the planktonic larvae of the invasive freshwater mussel Limnoperna fortunei on the diet of the larvae of native South American fishes. This study showed that several of the most abundant and ecologically important fish species in the Paraná-Paraguay river system actively consume L. fortunei´s veligers, especially during their earliest developmental stages.

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Why is it important?

This new food resource is likely particularly significant because the earliest developmental fish stages are the most vulnerable period in their life history.