Comparative growth of two mussels farmed in the macrotidal mangroves of the Amazon

Crescimento comparativo de dois mexilhões cultivados em manguezais de macromarés da Amazônia

ABSTRACT:

The present study evaluated the growth of the species Mytella guyanensis and Mytella strigata on ropes suspended in Amazon Macrotidal Mangrove Coast. The mussels were farmed at a density of 840 ind. m^-1 of rope, with the same shell height (mm) and live weight (g) for both species. The experiment was entirely randomized, with two treatments and 15 repetitions. Significant differences were reported regarding the growth (shell height and live weight) between the species (P>0.05). The daily growth rate was greater for M. guyanensis than for M. strigata. At the end of the cultivation cycle, only 451 ± 46 (59.9%) of M. guyanensis individuals reached commercial size per meter of rope compared to 670 ± 73 (89.3%) of M. strigata individuals. Survival rates were similar. Salinity and temperature increased progressively throughout the experiment with the reduction in rainfall and were within the range considered ideal for these species. In conclusion, the farming of both species of mussels was viable under estuarine conditions influenced by macrotides, with satisfactory survival rates and daily growth (shell height and weight).

Key words:
estuary; macrotides; Mytella guyanensis; Mytella strigata; mussel farming