Vertical distribution, growth pattern, and age of an alien freshwater mussel, Sinanodonta pacifica, across elevations gradient on a tropical island and their implication for ecosystem management

The vertical distribution, growth patterns, and population dynamics of alien freshwater mussel, Sinanodonta pacifica , across elevations gradient in West Java, Indonesia were examined. Mussels were collected over one-year period (2020-2021) from lowland (0–300 meters above sea level), midland (300–750 meters), and highland (> 750 meters) regions to examine density, age structure, growth pattern, and mortality. In midland, the highest population density 5.63 ± 1.83 individuals/m² and the fastest growth rate (growth coefficient, k = 0.26) was shown attributed to moderate temperatures, low suspended solids, and nutrient availability. Conversely, the highest mortality rate was recorded in the lowland, with 80% of the total recruits annually, presumably because high total suspended solids levels. The highland population showed the longest acquiring a maximum age of 15 years, although undergoing slower growth ( k = 0.16). We found that environmental factors temperature, total suspended solids, and total organic matter significantly influenced to population dynamics, with the midland the optimal conditions for recruitment and growth. These findings emphasize the need for targeted conservation strategies to manage the spread of S. pacifica and protect native biodiversity, particularly by monitoring midland areas where the species shows the greatest potential for rapid expansion. • The alien freshwater mussel, Sinanodonta pacifica , can sustain populations throughout wide elevations gradient of 67 to 1,580 m above sea level in West Java, Indonesia. • Mussels at midland elevations demonstrated the highest population density, fastest growth rate, lowest mortality rate, and resulting in rapid expansion and significant threats to native biodiversity and necessitating interventions for the population control through periodic harvesting from environment. • Water temperature, total suspended solids, chlorophyll-a, and total organic matter significantly influenced the population dynamics of S. pacifica .