Effect of low salinity on the survival of recently hatched veliger of Nassarius reticulatus (L.) in estuarine habitats: A case study of Ria de Aveiro

The effect of low salinity on the survival of recently hatched veliger of the gastropod Nassarius reticulatus (L.) was studied under laboratory conditions at 17 °C ± 1 °C. Significant mortality occurred for salinities ≤ 17 psu and the LS₅₀ (salinity that causes 50% mortality) varied from 14.5 psu to 17.2 psu for exposures between 1 h and 48 h, respectively. The results were included in a mathematical model in order to estimate the mortality of N. reticulatus veliger in Ria de Aveiro under different salinity scenarios determined by numerical simulation. The model predicts a massive mortality of veliger immediately after their eclosion (1 h) in Ria de Aveiro during spring tide when the river input reaches its expected maximum — a situation that has been observed occasionally and may overlap a massive eclosion of veliger in the water. Except in this extreme situation, the mortality in Ria de Aveiro is generally restricted to the upstream limits of the channels. The results indicate that N. reticulatus recruitment in estuaries may strongly depend on the prevailing salinity regime.