Climate and Heavy Flood Impact Assessment on Growth and Dispersal of <i>Perna viridis</i> (Green Mussels) Occurring in Creeks of Indus Delta Eco-Region Sindh Pakistan

Green mussel species Perna viridis is commonly occurring in coastal zone of Sindh. It is a fact that this species is growing fast. It is widely used in food. This edible species of mussel occurring in mudflats of Indus River creeks which relate to Arabian sea in Sindh Pakistan. Research study was done at mudflat of Ambra creek at Gharho shrimp farm situated at taluka Keti Bandar district Thatta, Sindh, Pakistan during period of 2023-2024. Water quality parameters of Ambar creek were examined with temperature of water 23.14286 ± 9.281318 °C; turbidity of water was found 40.28571 ± 8.4599918 cm; pH values observed 7.708571 ± 0.214975; hardness (CaCO3) 706.7143 ± 111.6538 mg/l; salinity of water 27.57143 ± 4.157609 ppt; TDS 86934.43 ± 13616.28 mg/l in both saline and freshwater environment. Dissolved oxygen 10.34857 ± 13616.28 mg/l and depth of water was observed 14.78571 ± 3.43823 fts. Water quality parameters of the experimental sites were found suitable for growth and dispersal of bivalve mussels. Ambra creek water is rich in micro biomass which consists of micro live food items. Various sized samples of the species were collected from mudflats in the creek during study period having size from 1.2 to 7.3 cm length and weight 0.179 to 50.23g. The reproductive system and maturation of gonads along with reproductive cycle of the animal were studied and found suitable as per environmental conditions of the habitat. It usually depends on the seasonal variation of temperature and turbidity of water. The effects of rainfall and floods have shown a significant change in maturation. It was observed that heavy flood in the river Indus brings lot of silt and clay which plays a positive role in the growth, production and reproduction of the Perna viridis.