Growth of mussels Perna perna [Linnaeus, 1758] in natural populations from Ubatuba shore, São Paulo State, Brazil

Abstract

This work aimed to study the growth of populations of Perna perna musseIs at the intertidal zone of three natural beds in Ubatuba coast (SP), Brazil (23°26'S; 45°04'W). Both the length and weight growth curves were determined using the length frequency distribution method, as well as the weight/length relationship. Non-significant differences were observed among mussels’ growths at the three sites studied, as well as among the weight/length relationships for males and females individuals relative to the sites. The expected lengths for one-year-old mussels were 24.6; 26.6 and 24.5 mm for Sites I, II and III respectively. It is concluded that the growth of natural mussels at the studied region is very slow, if compared with that of the cultivated ones, which makes recommendable the local implantation of mussel farming, aiming the economic management of this resource.