mussel - Knysna Estuary Research Foundation

Sea Star Sundays

KBP

| December 7, 2017

The Spiny sea star Marthasterias glacialis is widely distributed. However, the South African Marthasterias population has been reclassified as Marthasterias africana. These critters were easy to spot with their vibrant orange and purple colourings and their arms covered in small spines. The spread of M. africana within The Knysna Estuary is suspected to be because of the invasive mussel species Mytilus galloprovincialis, as it is the sea star’s main source of food. (more…)

Mediterranean Mussel

KBP

| September 11, 2017

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| Research

My name is James Radloff and I am currently doing my MSc in Marine Biology at Rhodes University. I am working on one of the most alien invasive marine species along the South African coastline, the Mediterranean mussel - Mytilus galloprovincialis. The Mediterranean mussel has the characteristics of a successful invasive species, having a high tolerance to salinity and desiccation, fast growth rate, high reproductive output, they are better competitors than native mussel species and have relatively few predators. Because of these successful characteristics this species has been able to spread extensively along the coasts of South Africa. (more…)

About KERF

The Knysna Estuary Research Foundation is an NGO based in Knysna, South Africa, focused on coastal system research – particularly how these systems change and how communities can and should live within these systems. Our research is applied and aimed at guiding and facilitating management of our local systems, whilst developing novel conservation approaches for coastal systems in general. The Knysna Estuary Research Foundation is based on four pathways: Research, Educate, Conserve and Collaborate.