EFFECT OF AERIAL EXPOSURE ON PHYSIOLOGICAL CONDITION AND SURVIVAL OF DIPLODON CHILENSIS (BIVALVIA: HYRIIDAE) DURING TRANSLOCATION

摘要: Freshwater mussels are an important component of the aquatic biodiversity Chile, especially in southern part country, and other geographical areas northern hemispheres. The most common species Chile is Diplodon chilensis (Gray, 1828), which a unique Hyriidae with distribution extending from 34°58’S to 72°48’S both lentic lotic environments numerous hydrographic basins (Parada & Peredo, 2002). It also present Argentina between parallels 32°52’ 45°51’S (Bonetto, 1973). populations have declined or been extirpated due disturbance habitat degradation anthropogenic activity, mainly engineering projects. To date there no proposals for protection freshwater mussels. Relocation unionids being used as conservation management tool (Cope Waller, 1995). They reviewed 33 projects reported mean survival 50%, suggesting that relocation had stressful Furthermore, relocations were monitored < 1 year, 20% five years. success has predominately judged by mussel survival. Few studies examined measures such growth, recruitment condition index. Peredo et al. (2005), studying D. its long-term evaluation, positive results recovery 18 years after relocation. However, little known effect handling aerial exposure on recommendations appropriate season conduct relocations. hypothesized suitable strategy if stress minimized time year fits MALACOLOGIA, 2006, 49(1): 217−221