Reproductive cycle, fecundity and growth of the freshwater mussel Unio tumidus (Bivalvia: Unionidae) from Lake Viinijärvi, Finland

Journal of Molluscan Studies, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 90(3)

Опубликована: Июнь 27, 2024

ABSTRACT Freshwater mussels have a substantial role in aquatic ecosystem function and provide valuable services, including water filtration, nutrient cycling, habitat creation sediment stabilization. While they face population declines globally that can negatively affect an ecosystem's health, such as reducing the quality increasing turbidity, lack of information about basic reproductive biology for most species makes their conservation much more difficult. Here, we monitored Unio tumidus year to study its biology, gonad-dwelling parasites growth rate Lake Viinijärvi, Finland. Our data revealed this was dioecious with no evidence hermaphroditism non-significantly female-biased (a male female ratio 1:1.3). Both sexes U. had continuous gametogenesis during period two peaks gonadosomatic index (GSI%) November May, followed by clear December June. Gravidity (brooding) embryos or glochidia female's outer gills lasted from June July. Therefore, be classified short-term breeder (tachytictic). The decline GSI% might strategy individuals use resorb resources back gonad somatic maintenance winter. Mean length 391 ± 0.049 µm, being among largest known Unionidae. No trematode were detected exhibited high fecundity (numbers oocytes per female), average oocyte production 242,000 18,000. studied moderate maximum predicted age 13 years asymptotic (the at which slows down while mussel continues age, L∞) 114 mm. provides first quantitative histological analysis tumidus, serving basis future research conservation.

Язык: Английский

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Off the conservation radar: the hidden story of Europe's tiny pea clams (Bivalvia: Sphaeriidae)

Biodiversity and Conservation, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 33(13), С. 3567 - 3581

Опубликована: Авг. 20, 2024

Abstract This study highlights the conservation problems faced by tiny freshwater bivalves of family Sphaeriidae, also known as pea, pill, or fingernail clams (or mussels) in Europe. Despite their global distribution, assumed ecological importance, and potential uses, basic knowledge about taxonomy, biology, ecology is very limited much lower than for larger bivalve taxa. Immediate scientific priorities are required to fill gaps regarding genetic diversity, reproductive cycle, ecosystem functions, population trends. Such fundamental necessary identify specific threats develop appropriate actions. Deploying environmental DNA analysis at a large scale could be valuable way distribution strengthen monitoring areas where local taxonomic lacking. Until taxon-specific management plans can developed, we recommend that efforts concentrate on general protection restoration wetland habitats, implementing pollution control measures, managing invasive species. These actions should complemented community engagement through citizen science initiatives. Additionally, prioritising data collection existing updating statuses (Red Lists) based comprehensive assessments will crucial. Implementing these provide starting point broader ecosystems, thus benefiting pea other interconnected species within habitats.

Язык: Английский

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Freshwater Mussels as Sentinels for Safe Drinking Water Supply in Europe

ACS ES&T Water, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 3(12), С. 3730 - 3735

Опубликована: Ноя. 8, 2023

In the context of European Union (EU) Drinking Water Directive, freshwater mussels (Order Unionoida: Bivalvia) can help us face challenges safe drinking water provisions for all citizens in EU. Specifically, implementation high frequency noninvasive (HFNI) valvometers allows early detection eventual pollution events treatment plants. Currently real-time behavioral analysis is deployed a number EU countries, and we foresee bright future as new technological advances are developed concerning HFNI valvometers.

Язык: Английский

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Reproduction cycle, trematode parasitism and growth of freshwater mussel Anodonta anatina (Bivalvia: Unionidae)

Hydrobiologia, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 851(7), С. 1789 - 1805

Опубликована: Дек. 12, 2023

Abstract Anodonta anatina , a widely distributed Eurasian freshwater mussel, has dramatically declined and listed as endangered species in IUCN Red List some parts of the Europe. To better understand its basic biology possible sex-dependent effects parasitism on reproduction, we investigated reproductive traits, trematode growth between November 2020 October 2021. Our data from Finnish population indicates male-biased sex ratio gonadal development lasting throughout year with bradytictic brooding pattern. Gonadosomatic index both sexes peaked May June. Mature oocytes were smaller sized than those previously studied unionids, fecundity was fairly low, maximum predicted lifespan 14 years. Gonads infected digenean parasites, Rhipidocotyle campanula being dominant species. Interestingly, infection rate higher females males. In July, when water temperature reached annual maximum, prevalence also peaked, which accompanied 16% mussels sterile. The thus negatively associated that might become even more affected if increases along climate warming, should be considered future conservation aquaculture efforts this

Язык: Английский

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The transcriptome assembly of the European freshwater mussel Unio elongatulus C. Pfeiffer, 1825

Scientific Data, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 11(1)

Опубликована: Апрель 12, 2024

Freshwater mussels of the order Unionida are a global conservation concern. Species this group strictly freshwater, sessile, slow-growing animals and, extremely sensitive to environmental changes. Human-mediated changes in freshwater habitats imposing enormous pressure on survival mussels. Although few flagship species protected Europe, other highly imperilled receive much less attention. Moreover, knowledge about biology, ecology, and evolution proper assessments many European still sparse. This gap is further aggravated by lack genomic resources available, which key tools for conservation. Here we present transcriptome assembly Unio elongatulus C. Pfeiffer, 1825, one least studied Using individual sequencing outputs from eight physiologically representative mussel tissues, provide an annotated panel tissue-specific Relative Gene Expression profiles. These pivotal studying species' biological ecological features, as well helping understand its vulnerability current future threats.

Язык: Английский

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Molecular phylogeny reveals a new genus and species of freshwater mussel (Bivalvia, Unionidae, Gonideinae) from Jiangxi, China

Zoosystematics and Evolution, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 100(4), С. 1419 - 1429

Опубликована: Окт. 22, 2024

Freshwater mussels of the tribe Gonideini (Bivalvia: Unionidae: Gonideinae) constitute one most taxonomically diverse groups and serve as keystone species in riverine lacustrine ecosystems across East Asia. A new genus Unionidae) is described from Jiangxi, China, Pseudopostolata angula gen. et sp. nov. based on an integrative analysis shell morphology molecular data. The validity supported by distinct conchological features: a short, rounded anterior; long, wide posterior; slightly downward-curved dorsal margin; distinctly obtuse angle at center posterior margin. multi-locus ( COI + 16S rRNA 28S rRNA) phylogeny showed that formed monophyletic group subfamily Gonideinae. identified sister to clade comprising genera Postolata , Cosmopseudodon Obovalis Ptychorhynchus Parvasolenaia Koreosolenaia . We emphasize significant morphological convergence freshwater mussels, particularly within Gonideini, highlighting necessity integrated taxonomic approach for accurate generic classification this group.

Язык: Английский

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Differences in substratum preferences and behaviour within the invasive Corbicula species complex

Freshwater Biology, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 68(9), С. 1489 - 1502

Опубликована: Июнь 29, 2023

Abstract Clams from the Corbicula species complex of Asian origin are invasive all over world, currently extending their distribution to waters natural thermal regime in Central European areas. Features linking clams habitats newly invaded areas have not been fully examined. These include substratum preferences and mobility, which may be key determining potential niche overlap with native bivalves gaining a better knowledge active dispersal impact. Therefore, our aim was determine preferences, horizontal locomotion burrowing behaviour three morphospecies Poland, Europe: two populations undetermined sp. an artificially heated habitat water (cold water), as well leana , fluminea (from cold water, respectively). To preferred range, we used pairwise choice tests range muddy, sandy, gravelly substrata, zebra mussel shells. Then, conducted behavioural observations (locomotion burrowing) by CCTV cameras on substrata found non‐preferred clams. All fine‐grained coarser substrata. C. had widest preferences. By contrast, showed narrowest spent longest time deeply burrowed. The duration activity noted indicate difficulties burrowing. On coarse water) crawled more than other morphospecies. Our results show that sediment (burrowing locomotion) differ among various Europe, probably also varying potential. This is important for non‐native bivalves, critical competition strength, impact, and/or displacement. fine sediments could threatened invasions.

Язык: Английский

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Enigmatic freshwater mussel declines could be explained by the biodiversity‐disease relationship

Journal of Applied Ecology, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 60(9), С. 1771 - 1777

Опубликована: Июль 20, 2023

Abstract The biodiversity‐disease relationship states that increased species richness leads to lower pathogen pressure (i.e. the dilution effect), an effect erodes with biodiversity loss. However, whether losses of can trigger extinction cascades remains largely unexplored. To explore this idea, we consider declines in freshwater mussels, on average most threatened non‐marine group organisms world. We argue anthropogenically stimulated mussel amplify pathogens remaining species. Pathogen amplification triggers further local both abundance and richness, explaining observed so‐called “enigmatic” mussels. Vulnerable communities could become trapped cycles host decline. highlight knowledge gaps provide key steps assess likelihood occurring; these are applicable any group. Policy implications . Our argument constitutes a testable hypothesis may explain or previously intact communities. impetus for consideration preservation diversity at scale show effective conservation requires integration parasite ecology.

Язык: Английский

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Population Reinforcement of the Endangered Freshwater Pearl Mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera): Lessons Learned

Diversity, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 16(3), С. 187 - 187

Опубликована: Март 20, 2024

Freshwater mussel populations are in sharp decline and considered to be one of the most imperilled groups globally. Consequently, number captive breeding programmes has increased rapidly recent years, coupled with subsequent reintroductions/population reinforcements reverse these declines. The outcomes conservation translocations seldom reported primary literature, hindering opportunities for learning population recovery at pace. Here, we describe methods employed carry out a successful translocation freshwater pearl (Margaritifera margaritifera) declining northwest England. Following small-scale pilot release 2017, four sites were identified reinforcement over 1300 tagged mussels 2021. Monitoring during 2022 showed high levels retention juveniles three sites, despite occurrence significant flood event October Subsequent releases 1100 carried across 2023. Ongoing regular monitoring is essential order provide data on longer-term fate propagated wild. This will allow adaptive management activities this river. These useful design strategies other UK throughout Europe.

Язык: Английский

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Aquarium setup for the long‐term housing of Pseudanodonta complanata (Bivalvia: Unionidae) towards captive breeding success

Aquatic Conservation Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 34(7)

Опубликована: Июль 1, 2024

Язык: Английский

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