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Article: The invasive rapa whelk Rapana venosa (valenciennes 1846): status and potential ecological impacts in the Rio de la Plata estuary, Argentina-Uruguay.
- Article from:
- Journal of Shellfish Research
- Article date:
- December 1, 2006
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2006 National Shellfisheries Association, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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ABSTRACT Recent range extensions of the invasive rapa whelk Rapana venosa, biological data of the population and possible ecological impacts on the food webs of the Rio de la Plata estuary are presented. A total of 41 rapa whelks and 21 egg capsules were collected between February 2004 and March 2006. Specimens were found all over the mixohaline waters of the estuary, with records off Montevideo, Samborombon Bay and off Punta Rasa. Specimens ranged between 28 and 120 nun shell length. Almost all R. venosa presented epibionts all over the shell, suggesting an exposed lifestyle. Egg-masses were attached to specimens of R. venosa, debris and plastic garbage. The spatial ...