A roadmap for the conservation of freshwater mussels in Europe

Europe has a long history of human pressure on freshwater ecosystems. As pressure continues to grow and new threats emerge, there is an urgent need for conservation of freshwater biodiversity and its ecosystem services. However, whilst some taxonomic groups, mainly vertebrates, have received a disproportionate amount of attention and funds, other groups remain largely off the public and scientific radar. Freshwater mussels (Bivalvia, Unionida) are an alarming example of this conservation bias and here we point out six conceptual areas that need immediate and long-term attention: knowledge, threats, socioeconomics, conservation, governance and education. The proposed roadmap aims to advance research, policy and education by identifying the most pressing priorities for the short- and long-term conservation of freshwater mussels across Europe.COST - European Cooperation in Science and Technology(CA18239

Freshwater mussel conservation: A global horizon scan of emerging threats and opportunities

We identified 14 emerging and poorly understood threats and opportunities for addressing the global conservation of freshwater mussels over the next decade. A panel of 17 researchers and stakeholders from six continents submitted a total of 56 topics that were ranked and prioritized using a consensus-building Delphi technique. Our 14 priority topics fell into five broad themes (autecology, population dynamics, global stressors, global diversity, and ecosystem services) and included understanding diets throughout mussel life history; identifying the drivers of population declines; defining metrics for quantifying mussel health; assessing the role of predators, parasites, and disease; informed guidance on the risks and opportunities for captive breeding and translocations; the loss of mussel-fish co-evolutionary relationships; assessing the effects of increasing surface water changes; understanding the effects of sand and aggregate mining; understanding the effects of drug pollution and other emerging contaminants such as nanomaterials; appreciating the threats and opportunities arising from river restoration; conserving understudied hotspots by building local capacity through the principles of decolonization; identifying appropriate taxonomic units for conservation; improved quantification of the ecosystem services provided by mussels; and understanding how many mussels are enough to provide these services. Solutions for addressing the topics ranged from ecological studies to technological advances and socio-political engagement. Prioritization of our topics can help to drive a proactive approach to the conservation of this declining group which provides a multitude of important ecosystem services.This publication is based upon work from COST Action CA18239, supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology). DCA was supported by Corpus Christi College and a Dawson Fellowship at St. Catharine's College, Cambridge. MLL was supported by FCT-Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (2020.03608.CEECIND). ISO was supported by a Whitten Studentship. INB was supported by the Russian Science Foundation (grant no. 21-17-00126). YVB was supported by RSF project no. 21-14-00092. KD was supported by the Czech Science Foundation (19-05510 S). TZ was supported by statutory funds of IOP PAN. MK was supported by funding through the Australian National Environmental Science Program. For the purpose of open access, the author has applied a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) licence to any Author Accepted Manuscript version arising from this submission

Regional impacts of warming on biodiversity and biomass in high latitude stream ecosystems across the Northern Hemisphere

Warming can have profound impacts on ecological communities. However, explorations of how differences in biogeography and productivity might reshape the effect of warming have been limited to theoretical or proxy-based approaches: for instance, studies of latitudinal temperature gradients are often conflated with other drivers (e.g., species richness). Here, we overcome these limitations by using local geothermal temperature gradients across multiple high-latitude stream ecosystems. Each suite of streams (6-11 warmed by 1-15°C above ambient) is set within one of five regions (37 streams total); because the heating comes from the bedrock and is not confounded by changes in chemistry, we can isolate the effect of temperature. We found a negative overall relationship between diatom and invertebrate species richness and temperature, but the strength of the relationship varied regionally, declining more strongly in regions with low terrestrial productivity. Total invertebrate biomass increased with temperature in all regions. The latter pattern combined with the former suggests that the increased biomass of tolerant species might compensate for the loss of sensitive species. Our results show that the impact of warming can be dependent on regional conditions, demonstrating that local variation should be included in future climate projections rather than simply assuming universal relationships

The role of anthropogenic habitats in freshwater mussel conservation

Anthropogenic freshwater habitats may provide undervalued prospects for long-term conservation as part of species conservation planning. This fundamental, but overlooked, issue requires attention considering the pace that humans have been altering natural freshwater ecosystems and the accelerated levels of biodiversity decline in recent decades. We compiled 709 records of freshwater mussels (Bivalvia, Unionida) inhabiting a broad variety of anthropogenic habitat types (from small ponds to large reservoirs and canals) and reviewed their importance as refuges for this faunal group. Most records came from Europe and North America, with a clear dominance of canals and reservoirs. The dataset covered 228 species, including 34 threatened species on the IUCN Red List. We discuss the conservation importance and provide guidance on how these anthropogenic habitats could be managed to provide optimal conservation value to freshwater mussels. This review also shows that some of these habitats may function as ecological traps owing to conflicting management practices or because they act as a sink for some populations. Therefore, anthropogenic habitats should not be seen as a panacea to resolve conservation problems. More information is necessary to better understand the trade-offs between human use and the conservation of freshwater mussels (and other biota) within anthropogenic habitats, given the low number of quantitative studies and the strong biogeographic knowledge bias that persists.This publication is based upon work from COST Action CA18239, supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology). A.M.L. was financed by the Institute of Environmental Sciences Jagiellonian University (N18/DBS/000003) and K.N. by the Aragón Government. The authors acknowledge Jarosław Andrzejewski, Bartosz Czader, Anna Fica, Marcin Horbacz, Tomasz Jonderko, Steinar Kålås, Tomasz Kapela, Bjørn Mejdell Larsen, Maciej Pabijan, Katarzyna Pawlik, Ilona Popławska, Joanna Przybylska, Tomasz Przybył, Mateusz Rybak, Kjell Sandaas, Jarosław Słowikowski, Tomasz Szczasny, Michał Zawadzki and Paweł Zowada for providing detailed information on specific examples concerning freshwater mussels in anthropogenic habitats. We thank the editor and two anonymous referees for the valuable suggestions made, which increased the clarity of our manuscript.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Research priorities for freshwater mussel conservation assessment

Freshwater mussels are declining globally, and effective conservation requires prioritizing research and actions to identify and mitigate threats impacting mussel species. Conservation priorities vary widely, ranging from preventing imminent extinction to maintaining abundant populations. Here, we develop a portfolio of priority research topics for freshwater mussel conservation assessment. To address these topics, we group research priorities into two categories: intrinsic or extrinsic factors. Intrinsic factors are indicators of organismal or population status, while extrinsic factors encompass environmental variables and threats. An understanding of intrinsic factors is useful in monitoring, and of extrinsic factors are important to understand ongoing and potential impacts on conservation status. This dual approach can guide conservation status assessments prior to the establishment of priority species and implementation of conservation management actions.NF-R was supported by a post-doctoral fellowship (Xunta de Galicia Plan I2C 2017-2020, 09.40.561B.444.0) from the government of the autonomous community of Galicia. BY was supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education (no. 0409-2016-0022). DLS was supported by the G. E. Hutchinson Chair at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies. AO was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (no. 17-44-290016). SV was funded by European Investment Funds by FEDER/COMPETE/POCI- Operacional Competitiveness and Internacionalization Programme, under Project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006958 and National Funds by FCT-Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, under the project UID/AGR/04033/2013. NF-R is very grateful to the University of Oklahoma Biological Survey for providing space to work in the U.S. and especially to Vaughn Lab members. Authors are very grateful to Akimasa Hattori, Allan K. Smith, Andrew Roberts, Daniel Graf, David Stagliano, David T. Zanatta, Dirk Van Damme, Ekaterina Konopleva, Emilie Blevins, Ethan Nedeau, Frankie Thielen, Gregory Cope, Heinrich Vicentini, Hugh Jones, Htilya Sereflisan, Ilya Vikhrev, John Pfeiffer, Karen Mock, Mary Seddon, Katharina Stockl, Katarzyna Zajac, Kengo Ito, Marie Capoulade, Marko Kangas, Michael Lange, Mike Davis, Pirkko-Liisa Luhta, Sarina Jepsen, Somsak Panha, Stephen McMurray, G. Thomas Watters, Wendell R. Haag, and Yoko Inui for their valuable contribution in the initial selection and description of extrinsic and intrinsic factors. We also wish to thank Dr. Amanda Bates, Chase Smith, and two anonymous reviewers for comments on earlier drafts of this manuscript. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government

A roadmap for the conservation of freshwater mussels in Europe

Europe has a long history of human pressure on freshwater ecosystems. As pressure continues to grow and new threats emerge, there is an urgent need for conservation of freshwater biodiversity and its ecosystem services. However, whilst some taxonomic groups, mainly vertebrates, have received a disproportionate amount of attention and funds, other groups remain largely off the public and scientific radar. Freshwater mussels (Bivalvia, Unionida) are an alarming example of this conservation bias and here we point out six conceptual areas that need immediate and long-term attention: knowledge, threats, socioeconomics, conservation, governance and education. The proposed roadmap aims to advance research, policy and education by identifying the most pressing priorities for the short- and long-term conservation of freshwater mussels across Europe

Aquatic Biodiversity: Evolution, Taxonomy and Conservation

Twenty-one studies on the diversity of aquatic organisms inhabiting water ecosystems in Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, and Oceania were collected for the current Special Issue [...

Reproductive Mode of Corbicula tobae (Martens, 1900): Brooding and Larval Morphology in Lake Toba (Indonesia)

Currently, the reproductive mode of the Indonesian endemic species Corbicula tobae from Lake Toba is yet to be investigated. In this study, we describe, for the first time, the reproductive mode of this endemic species based on a series of topotype specimens, combining anatomical and histological data. According to our data, C. tobae is a dioecious species, incubating D-shaped larvae in the inner demibranchs and having monoflagellate sperm. The head of the C. tobae spermatozoon differs from those of other Indonesian species of Corbicula by having the smallest length. A histological investigation of C. tobae gills revealed that the inner demibranch has larger interlamellar spaces compared with the outer demibranches. Our study highlights several specific reproductive traits may have evolved in narrowly endemic Corbicula clams within their native ranges

Acanthacorydalis asiatica Wood-Mason 1884

<i>Acanthacorydalis asiatica</i> (Wood-Mason, 1884) <p>(Figs 1–7)</p> <p> <i>Corydalis asiatica</i> Wood-Mason, 1884: 110. Type locality: “Naga Hills, N.E. frontier of India ”.</p> <p> <i>Acanthacorydalis asiatica</i> (Wood-Mason, 1884): Glorioso 1981: 282; Liu <i>et al.</i> 2005: 374; Yang & Liu 2010: 99.</p> <p> <b>Material examined.</b> 3 females, Myanmar, Kachin State, Nam Ru River valley (Mali Hka River Basin), near Wasandum village, 860 m alt., 27°29”41.7’ N, 97°11”23.5’ E, 18th March 2014, mountain rainforest with bamboo patches in the river valley, at light, Bolotov, Gofarov, Spitsin & Vikhrev leg. The specimens are deposited in the Biological Museum of the Institute of Ecological Problems of the North, the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Arkhangelsk, Russia (INEP).</p> <p> <b>Diagnosis.</b> Head dark yellow with distinct black marks on the clypeus, in ocellar triangle and at base of antennae; a pair of almost triangular black spots laterally on vertex; narrow black band or few irregular black spots along posterior margin of the head. Pronotum dark yellow with a large round black spot at each corner, between these spots a notable arrowhead-like yellow spot.</p> <p> <b>Description of female.</b> Body length 48–58 mm; forewing length 67–71 mm, hindwing length 60–61 mm.</p> <p>Head large, subquadrate and flattened, with two prominent postocular spines, and with pair of spines on the vertex (Fig. 1). Ground colour of the head dark yellow, with distinct black marks: one spot along clypeus, one spot in ocellar triangle, pair of spots around base of antennae, pair of almost triangular spots laterally on vertex, these spots connected with narrow black band (or few irregular black spots) along posterior margin of the head; spines black (Fig. 2). Ventral surface of head dark yellow, with pair of lateral brownish black spots (near spines) and three brownish black spots along posterior margin. Compound eyes brown, ocelli dark yellow. Antennae black, filiform. Mouthparts blackish brown, bearing short yellowish and black setae; labrum yellow with black edging and black central spot or black with small yellow central spot. Galea yellow. Mandibles black; as long as the head; with one large inner basal tooth, one small inner median tooth (sometimes reduced to very small convexity) and one large inner apical tooth (Fig. 3).</p> <p>Prothorax 1.2–1.4X longer than wide at midlength, without setae; setae on meso- and metathorax long, light brownish. Pronotum dark yellow with one large roundish black spot in each corner, between spots, a distinct arrowheadlike yellow spot. Prosternum dark yellow, with anterior margin and posterior margin black, and with black spot near posterior margin. Mesonotum black; metanotum dark yellow with two large black spots. Meso- and metasternum blackish brown, with dark yellow areas near coxae, with long pale brown setae. Legs brownish black; inner surfaces of fore coxae, trochanters and bases of femora dark yellow; tarsal claws black; coxae, trochanters and femora with long golden setae, tibiae and tarsus with short black setae. Fore tibiae slightly S-curved. Forewings pale brown, darkened on posterior half; a few indistinct elongated black spots between main veins (spots “resembling dried splashes of muddy water,” Wood-Mason (1884)); veins brownish black, with black marks bordering crossveins; Rs 8–10-branched, usually MA bifurcate distally; 4–7 crossveins between R and Rs; MP1+2 2-branched; MP3+4 2-branched; CuA 4–5-branched; 1A 2-branched. Number of costal crossveins 33–38. Hindwings pale brown, sometimes with few black spots between R and Rs.</p> <p>Abdomen dark yellow, with dark yellowish setae and black markings (each of 2nd–4th tergites with broad black band; each of 5th–9th tergites with three round black spots). Female tenth tergum sagitally divided by anus, and with free semicircular ventral portion; gonocoxite valvate and membranous, with apical portion subquadrate; tip of gonostylus digitiform (Figs 4–5).</p> <p> <b>Remarks.</b> Wood-Mason (1884) in his protologue noted that abdomen is brown, without brown or black marks. It is most likely, that abdomen of the type specimens became monochromatic brown due to poor drying. Similarly, he described the head and thorax coloration of type specimens as brown, but he assumed that live insects may have a green colour (Wood-Mason 1884). Actually, live individuals have dark yellow body colour.</p> <p> <b>Habitat.</b> Mountain oligotrophic zone of the Nam Ru River, Mali Hka River Basin (tributary of the Irrawaddy River) (Fig. 6).</p> <p> <b>Distribution.</b> Northeastern India (Assam State), northern Myanmar (Putao District, Kachin State) and southwestern China (Yunnan Province) (Fig. 7).</p>Published as part of <i>Bolotov, Ivan N., Bespalaya, Yulia V., Gofarov, Mikhail Yu., Spitsin, Vitaly M. & Tumpeesuwan, Sakboworn, 2014, First record of rare dobsonfly species Acanthacorydalis asiatica (Wood-Mason, 1884) (Megaloptera: Corydalidae: Corydalinae) in Myanmar, pp. 446-450 in Zootaxa 3841 (3)</i> on pages 446-449, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3841.3.9, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/225768">http://zenodo.org/record/225768</a&gt