Differentiation of European invasive clams of the genus Corbicula (Cyrenidae) using shell shape analysis

Here, we investigate the shell shape variation of some closely related freshwater species of the bivalve genus Corbicula using descriptive (qualitative), geometric morphometric and traditional conchometric approaches. The combination of these different approaches allows for an effective discrimination between the species C. fluminalis, C. fluminea and C. leana, as well as an unidentified Corbicula sp. The roundness of the shell hinge is an important diagnostic feature, as are shell sculpture (ribs), symmetry of the apertural margin, and both position and extension of the umbo. We also identify possible hybrids between C. fluminalis and C. leana, with these showing features intermediate to those of the parent species. We examine variability of shell features of C. leana in selected areas in Europe and compare these results with material from the native range of Japan and Korea. For C. leana, we identify two geographic morphotypes from the native area; within Europe, there is a high morphological diversity of this species with several new forms arising, most probably as a result of hybridization

Occurrence of two exotic decapods,

New information on the occurrence of two alien decapod crustaceans, Macrobrachium nipponense and Procambarus virginalis, was summarized for Ukraine. The invasive potential of both species was estimated in the context of local environmental and socio-economic issues. Their history as non-native species is marked by the early use of alien decapods as a natural resource by local residents. Both intentional and unintentional introductions occurred for M. nipponense, while the ornamental trade was an important source of non-native P. virginalis. New records of M. nipponense and P. virginalis from open freshwater habitats in the Odesa and Kharkiv provinces suggest continuing expansion of these decapods. We conducted a molecular phylogenetic analysis of COI sequences, which confirmed morphological identifications of invasive M. nipponense. This reinforces the presumed pathway of this species, including its pathway from China to south-western Ukraine. Procambarus fallax was found to be paraphyletic in relation to P. virginalis, which was probably caused by analyzing only one mitochondrial gene, which could be impacted by the recent emergence of the latter species

Additional records of the bivalves Mytilopsis leucophaeata (Conrad, 1831) (Dreissenidae) and Arcuatula senhousia (Benson, 1842) (Mytilidae) in the Ponto-Caspian region

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