MORPHOMETRY AND SHELL SHAPE STABILIZATION INDICATOR (IEF) OF THE MUSSEL Mytella charruana (D'ORBIGNY, 1842) (BIVALVIA, MYTILIDAE)

• Main Author: Barros, Mara Rúbia Ferreira
• Publication Date: 2020
• Other Authors: dos Santos, Werverton John Pinheiro, das Chagas, Rafael Anaisce
• Format: Article
• Language: eng
• Source: Biota Amazônia
• DOI: 10.18561/2179-5746/biotaamazonia.v10n1p31-34
• Download full: https://periodicos.unifap.br/index.php/biota/article/view/4719

The mussel Mytella charruana (d'Orbigny, 1842) – bivalve popularly known as “sururu” –, is an important fishing resource on the North and Northeast coast of Brazil. This study aimed to characterize the morphometric relationships and the shell shape stabilization indicator (IEF) of the M. charruana collected in November 2018 in the Urindeua River (Salinópolis - PA, Eastern Amazon). Altogether, the external measures (length, width and height) of the shell of 460 individuals were obtained, making simple regressions between these measures, subsequently applying a t-Student test to assess the existence of statistical dependence between the variables at a level 95% significance level (α = 0.05) and the IEF was described through ratios between the shell morphometry. The results indicate positive correlations in all morphometric relationships performed, classifying them as "strong" and negative allometric coefficients. In addition, it was found that M. charruana has excellent morphometric relationships, which makes it possible to estimate the external measures of the shell of the species and, based on the IEF, there is a smooth stabilization in the shape of the shell throughout its growth. In addition, this study will serve as a basis for the morphometric standardization of mytilids, considering the largest dimension of the shell as its total length. Studies related to the population dynamics of M. charruana are recommended, aiming at a future cultivation of the species in consortium with the cultivation of oysters already practiced in the region.Keywords: Amazon; Bivalve mollusk; Morphology; Morphometric aspects.