Bioinvasion of Mytella strigata (Hanley, 1843) in Ashtamudi Lake, Kerala, India – is pollution aggravating environmental degradation in Ramsar wetland?

Polluted or degraded aquatic ecosystems accumulate more invasive species than less polluted areas. The alien mussel Mytella strigata (=charruana) was reported to be affecting wild spats of mussels as a dominant competitor for space on floating substrates which is native Central and South America later outspread east coast central Florida subsequently from Philippines. tremendous increase M. population in Ashtamudi Lake raising an alarming situation over the bivalve it compete space, breeding ground, food. broad salinity ranges allows them invade via ballast exchange water fouled ship hulls. When levels goes beyond thresholds species, can sometimes outcompete them. Moreover, molecular phylogenetic analysis COI sequences shows close genetic relationship shared between Perna viridis strigata. increasing pollution load along with solid waste disposal Lake, accelerating spat fall therefore should priority bioinvasion control, otherwise lead displacement local extinction species.