Suchergebnisse

Any conservation management plan requires at the veiy least the following information: (l) clearly defined target species, and data on the species' (2) distribution and (3) population size. For European freshwater mussels this information is missing, deficient or outdated, and unevenly distributed among the different European countries. Paradoxically, the Southem European countries, more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and water shortage, are those more poorly studied. Despite being recognized as a center of endemism and one of the major refugia of the glacial ages for several taxa, Italy is no exception. Information deficiencies result, at least in part, from objective difficulties, ex. taxonomic uncertainties and misidentifications. Thcsc latter affect both the legislation and the aUocation offunds, which are stricüy interdependent. Two Italian examples will be used to illustrate a paradox that practically hinders both the acquisition of information and, a fortiori, possible conservation actions: l) a "new" species that will not be included in the inventory or protected until the legislative bureaucratic procedure hás taken its course; 2) an "old" species that will become exünct without any conservation plan, because it appears only in the Annex V of the European Directive. Unfortunately, these two examples represent only the tip of the iceberg; underneath there are many legislative inconsistencies that contribute to forming a "cultural threat". A scaling up from the Italian to the European levei shows a further "threat": triggered by funding limitations, the growing spread of data-sharing infrastructures amplifies "errors" (e. g. mis-identifications). Like in avicious circle, species are going lost whüe the few resources still avaüable are absorbed to "capitalize" on already existing, mostly inadequate, knowledge. ; info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera marocana (Pallary,) is an endemic species of Morocco being listed as critically endangered and it stands among the world's 100 most threatened species. An extensive survey was performed in the Sebou basin (total area of approximately 40,000 km2), covering 26 different sites. Margaritifera marocana was found only in four sites limited to a small tributary (Oued (=River) Bouhlou). This population has a very restricted distribution (no more than 4 km of river length) but appears stable with recent recruitment, since small specimens were found. Genetic analyses were performed, showing that this population has a similar diversity to that found in the River Laabid (Oum Er Rbia basin), but represents a distinct conservation unit that should be managed independently. Although this study adds a new population to the current known distribution of M. marocana, urgent conservation measures (e.g. extension of the Tazzekka National Park; better management of river flow; increase of the riparian vegetation in some stretches; establishment of national and international legislation, and engagement of local citizens) are needed given the species' restricted distribution, its rarity, and the numerous threats that impair its future survival. ; This study was conducted within the scope of the project 'Biodiversity and conservation of the critically endangered freshwater mussels in Morocco: ecogeographic, genetic and physiological information', funded by Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund (Reference 15256799), the project 'Breeding the most endangered bivalve on Earth: Margaritifera marocana', funded by IUCN SOS Save our Species fund (Reference 2015B‐015), and by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under grants SFRH/ BPD/108445/2015 (EF) and SFRH/BD/115728/2016 (MLL). ; info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Freshwater bivalves are highly threatened and globally declining due to multiple anthropogenic impacts, making them important conservation targets. Because conservation policies and actions generally occur at the species level, accurate species identification and delimitation is critical. A recent phylogenetic study of Italian mussel populations revalidated an Anodonta species bringing the number of known European Anodontini from three to four species. The current study contributes to the clarification of the taxonomy and systematics of European Anodontini, using a combination of molecular, morphological and anatomical data, and constructs phylogenies based on complete mitogenomes. A redescription of A. exulcerata and a comparative analysis of morphological and anatomical characters with respect to the other two species of Anodonta present in the area are provided. No reliable diagnostic character has emerged from comparative analysis of the morphometric characters of 109 specimens from 16 sites across the Italian peninsula. In fact, the discriminant analysis resulted in a greater probability of correct assignment to the site of origin than to the species. This confirms the difficulties of an uncritical application of visual characters for the delimitation of species, especially for Anodontinae. ; This research was developed under ConBiomics: the missing approach for the conservation of freshwater bivalves project Nº NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-030286, cofinanced by COMPETE 2020, Portugal 2020 and the European Union through the ERDF - European Regional Development Fund and by FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, through national funds (UID/Multi/04423/2019). FCT also supported Manuel Lopes-Lima (SFRH/BD/115728/2016). ; info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The IUCN Red List assessments are essentially based on population trends and range, namely Area of Occupancy (AOO) and Extent of Occupancy (EOO). Range estimations are based on fixed grids, but this is likely inappropriate for species living in river networks. Furthermore, AOO and EOO are measured using the whole hydrographic network, therefore disregarding temporary sections, which is particularly problematic in arid and semi-arid regions. Here we mapped the permanent hydrographic network of Morocco using satellite imagery, complemented with field surveys to collect samples for molecular analyses of the five freshwater mussel species present and assess their distribution. The phylogeographic patterns are described for each species and used to identify priority areas and evolutionary significant units for conservation. Permanent hydrographic river sections represent only 18.3% of the whole hydrographic network. A north-to-south gradient of genetic diversity, species richness and distribution range was found, being coherent with water availability and river intermittence. Isolated evolutionary units were detected in southern basins that should also receive particular attention in conservation planning. We propose the mean river width multiplied by the extent of the river network as the best and the most adequate way to estimate both EOO and AOO. Given the worldwide degradation of freshwater systems and biodiversity, an accurate (re)assessment of species conservation status supported with maps of intermittent water bodies will be essential for prioritizing and guiding conservation actions and management plans, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. ; This work was partially supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under grant SFRH/BD/115728/2016 (MLL) and grant SFRH/BD/137935/2018 (AGS). This research was developed under ConBiomics: the missing approach for the Conservation of freshwater Bivalves Project N° NORTE-01-0145- FEDER-030286, co-financed by COMPETE 2020, Portugal 2020 and the European Union through the ERDF, and by FCT through national funds. This study was additionally conducted within the scope of project "Biodiversity and conservation of the critically endangered freshwater mussels in Morocco: ecogeographic, genetic and physiological information", funded by Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund (Reference 15256799) and project "Breeding the most endangered bivalve on Earth: Margaritifera marocana", funded by IUCN SOS save our species fund (Reference 2015B-015). Official capture and sampling licenses were issued by the Université Cadi Ayyad (Faculté des Sciences, Semlalia, Marrakech, Maroc). ; info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Due to their sensitivity and dramatic declines, freshwater mussels are prime targets for conservation and environmental monitoring. For this, however, information is needed on life history and ecological traits, which is lacking in many taxa, including threatened species. Species recently described or recognized as valid are of particular concern, due to the shortage of even basic knowledge. A case in point is the recently recognized and Near Threatened dolphin freshwater mussel Unio delphinus Spengler, 1793, which is endemic to the western Iberian Peninsula and has suffered marked population declines. To overcome information gaps for U. delphinus, we carried out a holistic biological study across the species range, aiming to: i) estimate the area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) based on updated distribution data taken from the literature and recent surveys; ii) estimate growth patterns from biometrical (shell dimensions and growth annuli) measurements taken on specimens from seven populations; iii) estimate sex ratios from gonad tissue biopsies collected on specimens from eight populations; iv) estimate gametogenesis and sex ratio through histological examination of gonad and gill tissues collected monthly for a year, from a single population; and v) determine host species from infestation trials of glochidia with co-occurring fish species. We estimated an EOO of 706 km2 and an AOO of 61 km2, which together with data on declines assigns the species to the Endangered category using IUCN criteria. Unio delphinus was found to grow faster and to be shorter-lived (up to 11 years, maturity at around 2 years old) than other European freshwater mussels. Growth and life span are similar across the range in lotic habitats, but different from that in lentic habitats. The larvae of U. delphinus may attach to most co-occurring fish species, but only native species were effective hosts. Native cyprinids, especially those from the genus Squalius, seem to be the primary hosts. Overall, the information provided contributes to a better conservation status assessment, selection of conservation and rehabilitation areas, guidance for the establishment of propagation programs and better timing for specimens' manipulation including monitoring and possible translocations. The framework presented here highlights the importance of basic biological studies to define good ecological and physiological status. ; This work was supported by Portuguese FCT – Foundation for Science and Technology, Projects FRESHCO: Multiple implications of invasive species on Freshwater Mussel co-extinction processes (PTDC/ AGR-FOR/1627/2014-04/SAICT/2015), MUSSELFLOW: Host-dependent evolution, ecology and conservation of freshwater mussels under varying hydrological conditions: consequences of climate change (PTDC/BIA-EVL/29199/2017), and ConBiomics: The missing approach for the Conservation of freshwater Bivalves Project N° NORTE-01-0145- FEDER-030286, co-financed by COMPETE 2020, Portugal 2020 and the European Union through the ERDF. FCT also supported MLL under grant (SFRH/BD/115728/2016), CM under grant (SFRH/BD/111133/ 2015) and also through Strategic Funding UID/Multi/04423/2019. PB was supported by EDP Biodiversity Chair. ; info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Freshwater mussels are a critically imperiled group of mollusks that play key ecological roles and provide important services to humans. The Ambleminae is the only subfamily of these mussels, endemic to North America. Complete mitogenomes have only been sequenced for two of five tribes of the subfamily. Pleurobema oviforme, Amblema plicata, and Popenaias popeii each belong to tribes Pleurobemini, Amblemini, and Popenaidini, respectively, and have not had published mitogenomes. Thus, this study aims to present the complete mitogenomes for these species, to provide a phylogeny of the Ambleminae and confirm the gene arrangements with representation from each of its tribes. The newly sequenced mitogenomes range from 15,852 to 15,993 nucleotides, are composed of 13 PCGs, 22 tRNAs, and two rRNAs and all share the same (UF1) gene order. ; This work was supported by Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) [grant number ConBioMics/BI-Lic/2019-037 (JTT), grant number SFRH/BD/137935/2018 (AGS)]; COMPETE 2020, Portugal 2020 and the European Union through the ERDF, and by Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) through national funds [UID/Multi/04423/2019] under project ConBiomics: the missing approach for the Conservation of Bivalves Project, and [project number NORTE-01- 0145-FEDER-030286]. Fieldwork in Texas was funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) as a Joint Traditional Section 6 Project 407348. ; info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Using a new fossil-calibrated mitogenome-based approach, we identified macroevolutionary shifts in mitochondrial gene order among the freshwater mussels (Unionoidea). We show that the early Mesozoic divergence of the two Unionoidea clades, Margaritiferidae and Unionidae, was accompanied by a synchronous split in the gene arrangement in the female mitogenome (i.e., gene orders MF1 and UF1). Our results suggest that this macroevolutionary jump was completed within a relatively short time interval (95% HPD 201–226 Ma) that coincided with the Triassic–Jurassic mass extinction. Both gene orders have persisted within these clades for ~200 Ma. The monophyly of the so-called "problematic" Gonideinae taxa was supported by all the inferred phylogenies in this study using, for the first time, the M- and F-type mitogenomes either singly or combined. Within Gonideinae, two additional splits in the gene order (UF1 to UF2, UF2 to UF3) occurred in the Mesozoic and have persisted for ~150 and ~100 Ma, respectively. Finally, the mitogenomic results suggest ancient connections between freshwater basins of East Asia and Europe near the Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary, probably via a continuous paleo-river system or along the Tethys coastal line, which are well supported by at least three independent but almost synchronous divergence events. ; The authors wish to thank the Editor and the three anonymous reviewers for helpful remarks and suggestions that improved the quality of the manuscript. This research was developed under ConBiomics: the missing approach for the Conservation of freshwater Bivalves Project N° NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-030286, cofinanced by COMPETE 2020, Portugal 2020 and the European Union through the ERDF, and by FCT through national funds (UID/Multi/04423/2019). FCT also supported MLL (SFRH/BD/115728/2016). The Russian Ministry of Education and Science (project no. 6.2343.2017/4.6), the Federal Agency for Scientific Organizations (project no. 0409-2015-0143), the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences (scientific program no. 52), and the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, RFBR (project no. 17-45-290066) supported INB. Permits for fieldwork and sampling in Malaysia were issued by the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education (FRGS/1/2015/WAB13/UNIM//1). ; info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The decline of freshwater biodiversity hás reached alarming proportions. The extinction rate of freshwater biodiversity is predicted to be five times faster than ali other groups of species. The Unionidae, being the largest of the freshwater bivalve families, is among the most endangered group in the world. They are important providers of aquatic ecosystem services and are characterized by an unusual pattem of mtDNA inheritance. However, phylogeny, population genetic structure and species-level diversity remains unclear for much of the group. With an experienced and well-qualified team, the present proposal aims to define the most important freshwater mussel taxa and most criticai áreas for conservation, at European and Global leveis, to inform the most relevant policy niakers. This will be achieved by integrating a genomics approach with available distribution data, in order to determine and map global species richness, phylogenetic diversity, and weighted endemism. This complementary approach will not only help conserve this vulnerable group but will offer wider benefits to freshwater ecosystems whose billions of people depend globally. Additionally, as these animals have an extraordinary unusual pattern of mtDNA inheritance, they will be used as model-taxa to study the evolution of mtDNA and life in general. ; This research was developed under Project Nº NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-030286 (ConBiomics: the missing approach for the Conservation of freshwater Bivalves), co-financed by COMPETE 2020, Portugal 2020 and the European Union through the ERDF, and by FCT through national funds. ; info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Since historical times, the inherent human fascination with pearls turned the freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera (Linnaeus, 1758) into a highly valuable cultural and economic resource. Although pearl harvesting in M. margaritifera is nowadays residual, other human threats have aggravated the species conservation status, especially in Europe. This mussel presents a myriad of rare biological features, e.g. high longevity coupled with low senescence and Doubly Uniparental Inheritance of mitochondrial DNA, for which the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly known. Here, the first draft genome assembly of M. margaritifera was produced using a combination of Illumina Paired-end and Mate-pair approaches. The genome assembly was 2.4 Gb long, possessing 105,185 scaffolds and a scaffold N50 length of 288,726 bp. The ab initio gene prediction allowed the identification of 35,119 protein-coding genes. This genome represents an essential resource for studying this species' unique biological and evolutionary features and ultimately will help to develop new tools to promote its conservation. ; A.G.-d.-S. was funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the grants SFRH/BD/137935/2018, EF (CEECIND/00627/2017) and MLL (2020.03608.CEECIND). This research was developed under ConBiomics: the missing approach for the Conservation of freshwater Bivalves Project No. NORTE-01-0145-FEDER- 030286, co-financed by COMPETE 2020, Portugal 2020 and the European Union through the ERDF, and by FCT through national funds. Additional strategic funding was provided by FCT UIDB/04423/2020 and UIDP/04423/2020. Authors' interaction and writing of the article was promoted and facilitated by the COST Action CA18239: CONFREMU—Conservation of freshwater mussels: a pan- European approach. ; info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The complete mitogenomes of one (M-)ale (North America), one Hermaphroditic (Europe), and two (F-)emale (North America and Europe) individuals of the freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera were sequenced. The M-type and F-type (Female and Hermaphroditic) mitogenomes have 17,421 and 16,122 nucleotides, respectively. All with the same content: 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA, two ribosomal RNA genes, and one sex-related ORF. The M-type is highly divergent (37.6% uncorrected p-distance) from the F-type mitogenomes. North American and European F-type mitogenomes exhibit low genetic divergence (68 nt substitutions), and the Female and Hermaphroditic European mitogenomes are almost identical, and matching sex-related ORFs. ; This work was supported by Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) [grant number SFRH/BD/115728/2016 (MLL), grant number SFRH/BD/137935/2018 (AGS)]; Russian Foundation for Basic Research [grant number 18-34-20033 (IVV)]; Dawson Fellowship at St. Catharine's College, Cambridge (DCA); Life Margal Ulla [number LIFE09 NAT/ES/000514 (RA and PO)]; COMPETE 2020, Portugal 2020 and the European Union through the ERDF, and by Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) through national funds [UID/Multi/04423/2019] under project ConBiomics: the missing approach for the Conservation of freshwater Bivalves Project, and [project number NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-030286]; Federal Agency for Scientific Organizations under Grants [grant number 0409-2015-0143 (INB and IVV)] ; info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The complete mitogenomes of one (M-)ale (North America), one Hermaphroditic (Europe), and two (F-)emale (North America and Europe) individuals of the freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera were sequenced. The M-type and F-type (Female and Hermaphroditic) mitogenomes have 17,421 and 16,122 nucleotides, respectively. All with the same content: 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA, two ribosomal RNA genes, and one sex-related ORF. The M-type is highly divergent (37.6% uncorrected p-distance) from the F-type mitogenomes. North American and European F-type mitogenomes exhibit low genetic divergence (68 nt substitutions), and the Female and Hermaphroditic European mitogenomes are almost identical, and matching sex-related ORFs. ; This work was supported by Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) [grant number SFRH/BD/115728/2016 (MLL), grant number SFRH/BD/137935/2018 (AGS)]; Russian Foundation for Basic Research [grant number 18-34-20033 (IVV)]; Dawson Fellowship at St. Catharine's College, Cambridge (DCA); Life Margal Ulla [number LIFE09 NAT/ES/000514 (RA and PO)]; COMPETE 2020, Portugal 2020 and the European Union through the ERDF, and by Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) through national funds [UID/Multi/04423/2019] under project ConBiomics: the missing approach for the Conservation of freshwater Bivalves Project, and [project number NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-030286]; Federal Agency for Scientific Organizations under Grants [grant number 0409-2015-0143 (INB and ...

Freshwater mussels of the Order Unionida provide important ecosystem functions and services, yet many of their populations are in decline. We comprehensively review the status of the 16 currently recognized species in Europe, collating for the first time their life-history traits, distribution, conservation status, habitat preferences, and main threats in order to suggest future management actions. In northern, central, and eastern Europe, a relatively homogeneous species composition is found in most basins. In southern Europe, despite the lower species richness, spatially restricted species make these basins a high conservation priority. Information on freshwater mussels in Europe is unevenly distributed with considerable differences in data quality and quantity among countries and species. To make conservation more effective in the future, we suggest greater international cooperation using standardized protocols and methods to monitor and manage European freshwater mussel diversity. Such an approach will not only help conserve this vulnerable group but also, through the protection of these important organisms, will offer wider benefits to freshwater ecosystems. ; The authors appreciate the extensive work of Wendell Haag and two anonymous reviewers that improved the quality of the manuscript; Arthur Bogan and David Strayer for their assistance and careful thoughts; Marco Paulo Magalhães for help with the GIS maps; Imre Potyó for the photo of Pseudanodonta complanata; the people who took part in the Belarusian data collection especially I. A. Rudakovskiy and V. M. Samoilenko (Belarusian State University), and G. M. Tischikov and I. G. Tischikov (Republican GidroMeteoCenter of Belarus); Marco Bodon and Simone Cianfanelli for valuable information on Italian populations; all the people who provided us with the data included in the French INPN database; Zdravko Hubenov, Dimitar Kozuharov, Lyubomir Kenderov and Ivan Botev for the help with the Bulgarian data collection; and I.N. Bolotov, O.V. Aksenova, I.V. Vikhrev, A. A. Makhrov, P. E. Aspholm for help with the collection and analysis of the Russian data. Financial support was provided by: The Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and COMPETE funds, project 'CONBI' (Contract: PTDC/ AAC-AMB/117688/2010) and project 'ECO-IAS' (Contract: PTDC/AAC-AMB/116685/2010); The Bavarian State Ministry of the Environment and Consumer Protection through the Bavarian Mussel Coordination Office; The Federal Government of Upper Austria (Department of Nature Conservation), by the Environmental Councilor (Manfred Haimbuchner) and by the European Union; Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Republic of Belarus, Belarusian Committee of Ecology grant 288/73 from the Belarussian State University grant 444/50 and from the Ministry of Education and Science Republic of Belarus grant 657/65; The Ministry of Science, Education and Sports of the Republic of Croatia (119-1193080-1231), Hrvatske vode and State Institute for Nature Protection; The Czech Science Foundation (13-05872S) and ESF/MŠMT (CZ.1.07/2.3.00/30.0040); Biotope Consultancy, grants from Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle à Paris, ATM Barcode and Agence Nationale de la Recherche '6eme extinction'; Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education grant NCN No. NN304328836; The Russian Foundation for Basic Research, RFBR (grant no. 15-04-05638, 14-04-98801_a) and The Ural Branch of RAS (no.15-12-5-3), President of the Russian Federation (grant no. MD-6465.2014.5). ; info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion