Abstract

The invasive, biofouling, Conrad's false mussel Mytilopsis leucophaeata was first recorded in Sweden during spring 2011 in the cooling water system of the power plant of Forsmark in the southern Bothnian Sea. The cooling water discharge area offers a favourable environment for growth, survival, and reproduction of M. leucophaeata and may provide a stepping stone for further spread. We present three different studies in the area, revealing a rapid increase in mussels in the artificially heated area, with densities of the magnitude of thousands of individuals m-2, as well as mussels living in surrounding waters, indicating an on-going expansion in the region. Key words: cooling water; biofouling; invasive mussel

Keywords

cooling water; invasive mussel; Bothnian Sea; biofouling; Mytilopsis leucophaeata; Conrad’s false mussel

Published in

BioInvasions Records
2013, volume: 2, number: 4, pages: 303-309

Authors' information