Suchergebnisse

Anthropogenic habitats may function as a refuge for some species, including freshwater mussels (Bivalvia, Unionida). In this study we assessed possible differences in density, size and condition index of the Moroccan freshwater pearl mussel Pseudunio marocanus (Pallary, 1918), formerly Margaritifera marocana, colonizing anthropogenic (sāqya=irrigation canal) and natural (Bouhlou River) habitats in Morocco. Results showed that the individuals colonizing the irrigation canal located on the left bank have a significantly higher density and condition index when compared to natural conditions, but no differences were found regarding size. Since this species is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN, being also considered among the 100 most endangered organisms in the planet, the presence of P. marocanus in anthropogenic habitats has high conservation importance. In fact, and despite no Moroccan freshwater pearl mussels were found on the irrigation canal located in the right bank, the one located on the left bank present stable conditions for the settlement of juveniles and, if managed carefully, for the future survival of the species. However, local authorities reported frequent dredging and cleaning activities by local farmers on this sāqya without any special attention devoted to Moroccan freshwater pearl mussels (or any other species) conservation. Therefore, the results reported here can be used by scientists, managers, politicians and local people to promote future management actions that enhance the Moroccan freshwater pearl mussel protection and guarantee their future survival, including on anthropogenic habitats. ; This study was 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). MLL was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) grant number SFRH/BD/ 115728/2016. We acknowledge Joana Garrido Nogueira for the help preparing the Figures. We also acknowledge the editor Dr. Amanda Bates and three anonymous referees for the helpful suggestions. ; info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

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

In this study, we assess the impacts of future climate and land-use in the Beça River (northern Portugal) under different scenarios and how this will translate into the conservation status of the endangered pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera (Linnaeus, 1758). This species is currently present in several stretches of the Beça River that still hold adequate ecological conditions. However, the species is threatened by projected declines in precipitation for the 21st century, with implication on the river flows and water depths that might decrease below the species requisites. This situation could be especially critical during summer conditions since the ecological flows may not be assured and several river stretches may be converted into stagnant isolated pools. The habitat connectivity will also be affected with reverberating effects on the mobility of Salmo trutta, the host of M. margaritifera, with consequences in the reproduction and recruitment of pearl mussels. In addition, human-related threats mostly associated with the presence of dams and an predicted increases in wildfires in the future. While the presence of dams may decrease even further the connectivity and river flow, with wildfires the major threat will be related to the wash out of burned areas during storms, eventually causing the disappearance of the mussels, especially the juveniles. In view of future climate and land-use change scenarios, conservation strategies are proposed, including the negotiation of ecological flows with the dam promoters, the replanting of riparian vegetation along the water course and the reintroduction of native tree species throughout the catchment. ; As regards the corresponding author, the researchwas funded by the national funds (FCT-Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology) under the strategic project of the Vila Real Chemistry Research Centre (PEst-OE/QUI/UI0616/2014). As regards the authors integrated in the CITAB centre, the research was supported by the national funds (FCT - Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology) under the project PEst-OE/AGR/UI4033/2014. The research was also supported by the European Union Funds (FEDER/COMPETE-Operational Competitiveness Programme) under the project CONBI-PTDC/AACAMB/117688/ 2010. ; info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The Paiva River catchment, located in Portugal, integrates the Natura 2000 network of European Union nature protection areas. Resorting to topography, climate and land-use data, a semi-distributed hydrological model (Hydrological Simulation Program–FORTRAN) was run in order to simulate the hydrological cycle of the river and its tributaries. The model was calibrated over a 25-year period and validated within a 31-year period. Its performance was verified by comparing the recorded and simulated daily flows. The values of the Nash–Sutcliffe coefficient of efficiency of 0.95 and 0.76, and coefficient of determination of 0.95 and 0.82, were achieved for calibration and validation, respectively, thus showing a quite satisfactory model performance. Subsequently, the climate change impacts on temperature and precipitation, as well as their extremes, and on the flowrates were also assessed for a future period (2041–2070) under two anthropogenic forcing scenarios (representative concentration pathways 4.5 and 8.5). A procedure for selecting the most relevant metrics for assessing the ecological condition of the Paiva River was developed based upon a set of 52 invertebrate families sampled. Correspondence analyses were carried out for biological datasets (traits/metrics) with physicochemical and land use/land cover matrices separately. Out of all variables, water quality and flow and agriculture land use explained most of the variance observed. The integrated analysis undertaken in the present study is an important advance when compared to previous studies and it provides key information to stakeholders and decision-makers, particularly when planning suitable adaptation measures to cope with changing climates in the forthcoming decades.

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

We report for the first time that the freshwater mussel Microcondylaea bonellii (Férussac, 1827) functions as a suitable host for the European bitterling Rhodeus amarus (Bloch, 1782). Given the recent expansion of R. amarus in Europe, the possible physiological cost (e.g. competition for oxygen, reduction in water circulation, and consequent impairment of filter-feeding) of this interaction may further affect the already poor conservation status of M. bonellii populations. ; Microcondylaea bonellii, un nouvel hôte pour la bouvière Rhodeus amarus. Nous signalons pour la première fois que la moule d'eau douce Microcondylaea bonellii (Férussac, 1827) sert d'hôte à la bouvière Rhodeus amarus (Bloch, 1782). Étant donné l'expansion récente de R. amarus en Europe, le coût physiologique possible de cette interaction (par exemple la compétition pour l'oxygène, la réduction de la circulation de l'eau et l'altération conséquente de l'alimentation par filtration) pourrait affecter davantage le statut de conservation déjà mauvais des populations de M. bonellii. ; We acknowledge the two anonymous referees for the helpful suggestions that improve the clarity of our manuscript. This research was funded by FCT under project ConBiomics N° NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-030286, cofinanced by COMPETE 2020, Portugal 2020 and the European Union through the ERDF. ; 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

The Paiva River is considered one of the least polluted rivers in Europe and its watershed has a high conservation value. However, the Paiva River basin suffers pressures related with recurrent disturbances in land use, such as forest fires, agricultural activities, urbanization and pressures that affect the natural hydromorphological conditions and the continuity of watercourses. Blue and Green Infrastructures (BGINs) emerge to improve biodiversity, sustainability and the supply of ecosystem services while improving socioeconomic aspects. Thus, this article aims to identify priority areas in the basin, for intervention with these infrastructures. For that, a spatial multicriteria decision analysis (MDCA) was carried out according to several data related to the Paiva River Basin. As local politicians and responsible entities for the natural resources management are the main experts on the problems and their possible solutions at the local level, they were involved in this decision-making model. Therefore, these specialized stakeholders did the weighting assignment according to the most or least importance of the same for the work. The map of priority locations to implement BGINs was obtained in the sequel. To the top 5 priority areas, stakeholders attributed the best solutions based on nature. The most recommended BGINs were recovery/maintenance of riparian vegetation and conservation and reforestation of the native forest, both presented in four of the five areas, and introduction of fuel management strips presented in three of the five areas. Thus, we concluded that it is extremely important to include the communities and the competent entities of nature and environment management in scientific projects related to conservation, forming a synergy that makes it possible to combine scientific knowledge with local experience acquired in the field. This project uses a very flexible methodology of local data and can be a great example to be implemented in other hydrographic basins anywhere in the world