Primeras Observaciones De La “Almeja Asiática” Corbicula Fluminea (Müller, 1774) (Veneroida: Cyrenidae) en Una Acequia Del Río Mala, Lima, Perú

Abstract

In the present study, the first record of the presence of Corbicula fluminea (Müller, 1774) is reported in the aquaculture systems of the Mala Basin, Lima, Peru, and some diagnostic characters are detailed for easy identification. Fifty specimens were collected from a ditch of Mala River, in which the temperature and the pH were measured. Some conchiliometric variables and characteristics of the visceral mass were analyzed. The descriptive statistics of the variables were obtained and a graph of frequencies of the valve length (LV) was made. The normality of the variables was confirmed by a Q-Q test, then this was reaffirmed by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Subsequently, Pearson correlations were performed to check the morphological stability. An average of 1.57 cm was found for LV, with a maximum value of 2.50 cm. The highest proportion of individuals was found in the interval of 1.50 cm to 2 cm, calculating the age of the population of the Mala River in at least one year. The C. fluminea revealed a great positive correlation among all its variables. Externally, it presents conspicuous concentric ribs; internally, the inhaling and exhaling siphon are bordered by a dark coloration of pigments. The C. fluminea differs from Neocorbicula limosa (Maton, 1811) in its bathymetric distribution. The temperature found provides the appropriate conditions for the C. fluminea reproduction. It is presumed that the individuals found represent a satellite population, dispersed due to the El Niño phenomenon.