Biometric conversion factors as a unifying platform for comparative assessment of invasive freshwater bivalves

Coughlan, Neil E.; Cunningham, Eoghan M.; Cuthbert, Ross N.; Joyce, Patrick; Anastácio, Pedro M.; Banha, Filipe; Bonel, Nicolás; Bradbeer, Stephanie J.; Briski, Elizabeta; Butitta, Vince L.; Čadková, Zuzana; Dick, Jaimie T. A.; Douda, Karel; Eagling, Lawrence E.; Ferreira‐Rodríguez, Noé; Johansson, Mattias L.; Kregting, Louise; Łabęcka, Anna Maria; Li, Deliang; Liquin, Florencia; Marescaux, Jonathan; Morris, Todd J.; Nowakowska, Patrycja; Ożgo, Małgorzata; Paolucci, Esteban Marcelo; Peribáñez, Miguel A.; Riccardi, Nicoletta; Smith, Emily R.C.; Spear, Michael J.; Steffen, Gregor T.; Tiemann, Jeremy S.; Urbańska, Maria; Doninck, Karine Van; Vastrade, Martin; Vong, Gina Y.W.; Wawrzyniak-Wydrowska, Brygida; Xia, Ziqiang; Zeng, Cong; Zhan, Aibin; Sylvester, Francisco

doi:10.1111/1365-2664.13941

Cited by 15 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 56 publications

(78 reference statements)

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“…In particular, an improved understanding of interactive effects between bivalves and macrophytes under a range different abiotic conditions is needed (Crane et al, 2020). To achieve this, basic laboratory mesocosm experiments can be scaled to the level of infestation observed at an invaded site (Coughlan et al, 2021), which will support cost–benefit assessments for management interventions. In addition, this paper presents data from surveys from a single system collected during summer months.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Abiotic and biotic correlates of the occurrence, extent and cover of invasive aquatic Elodea nuttallii

et al. 2022

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Biological invasions, especially invasive alien aquatic plants, are a major and growing ecological and socioeconomic problem worldwide. Freshwater systems are particularly vulnerable to invasion, where impacts of invasive alien species can damage ecological structure and function. Identifying abiotic and biotic factors that mediate successful invasions is a management priority. Our aim was to determine the environmental correlates of Elodea nuttallii; a globally significant invasive aquatic species. Elodea nuttallii presence/absence (occurrence), extent (patch area) and percentage cover (density) was visually assessed from a boat throughout Lough Erne (approximately 144 km2), County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland during the active summer growth season (July–September). In addition, substrate type and zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha occurrence was recorded. Fourteen water chemistry variables were collected monthly from 12 recording stations throughout the lake during the 9 years before the survey to spatially interpolate values and establish temporal trajectories in their change. Shoreline land use was derived from CORINE land cover maps. Environmental associations between E. nuttallii, substrate, D. polymorpha, water chemistry and land use were assessed. Elodea nuttallii occurrence was positively associated with water conductivity, alkalinity, suspended solids, phosphorus (both total and soluble) and chlorophyll‐a concentrations, but negatively associated with pH and total oxidised nitrogen. E. nuttallii patch extent and proportional cover were positively associated, to varying degrees, with the presence of D. polymorpha, biological oxygen demand, water clarity and soft substrate, but negatively associated with urban development and ammonium. Elodea nuttallii displayed high levels of phenotypic plasticity in response to environmental variation, allowing it to adapt to a wide range of conditions and potentially gain competitive advantage over native or other invasive macrophytes. It is evident that multiple abiotic and biotic factors, including facilitation by co‐occurring invasive dreissenid mussels, interact to influence the distribution and abundance of E. nuttallii. Thus, it is necessary to consider a more comprehensive environmental context when planning Elodea management strategies.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Abiotic and biotic correlates of the occurrence, extent and cover of invasive aquatic Elodea nuttallii

et al. 2022

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“…The study of aquatic organisms' growth by means of allometric models including size and weight, has been defined as essential for conservation and management of living marine resources and for understanding how, e.g. shellfish populations, are affected by environmental variations (Sujitha, 2013;Coughlan et al, 2021).…”

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confidence: 99%

A machine learning model and biometric transformations to facilitate European oyster monitoring

Pineda-Metz

Merk

Pogoda

2023

Aquatic Conservation

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Ecosystem monitoring, especially in the context of marine conservation and management requires abundance and biomass metrics, condition indices, and measures of ecosystem services of key species, all of which can be calculated using biometric transformation factors. Following ecosystem restoration measures in the North Sea and north‐east Atlantic waters, European oyster (Ostrea edulis) restoration and its monitoring have substantially increased over the past decade. Restoration activities are implemented by diverse approaches and practitioners ranging from governmental conservation agencies, research institutions and non‐governmental institutions to regional groups, including citizen science projects. Thus, tools for facilitating data acquisition and estimation with non‐destructive techniques can support monitoring quantitatively and qualitatively. Weight‐to‐weight transformation factors for calculating dry weight of O. edulis from wet weight measurements are presented. Another important tool is the estimation of weight only from size measurements. The classical approach to achieve these transformation factors is the construction of allometric models, which, however, can greatly vary among regions and between years, making them extremely location/season specific. Alternative and more flexible models constructed using random forests are proposed. This algorithm is a machine learning technique that is increasingly used in ecology, and has been proven to outperform other predictive models. From biometric variable measurements of 1,401 O. edulis individuals, allometric models were used to estimate total, shell and body wet weights, and compare them with 15 random forest models. In general, the random forest models outperformed the allometric ones, with lower error when estimating weight. The developed random forest models can thus provide a tool for facilitating oyster restoration monitoring by increasing data acquisition without the need of sacrificing European oyster individuals. Their improvement can imply its implementation in other regions and support European oyster restoration and monitoring efforts throughout Europe.

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“…Dry weight of mussels was determined by drying the shell‐free tissue at 60°C for 24 h. For determining the ash‐free dry weight, specimens were incinerated at 500°C within a muffle furnace for 6 h and weighed after cooling to room temperature in a desiccator (Coughlan et al . 2021). The dry weight to wet weight relationship was calculated and utilized to convert the wet weight measurements of the specimens used in metabolic experiments.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In order to derive weight--length relationships, experimental mussels in addition to others from the same sampling site were used to measure total length, volume, shell-free wet, dry weight and ash-free dry weight (AFDW). Dry weight of mussels was determined by drying the shell-free tissue at 60°C for 24 h. For determining the ash-free dry weight, specimens were incinerated at 500°C within a muffle furnace for 6 h and weighed after cooling to room temperature in a desiccator (Coughlan et al 2021). The dry weight to wet weight relationship was calculated and utilized to convert the wet weight measurements of the specimens used in metabolic experiments.…”

Section: Oxygen Consumption Ratesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Metabolic response to increasing environmental temperature in the invasive mussel Limnoperna fortunei

2022

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Plasticity and variability of morphological and physiological traits are common characteristics that allow invasive species to survive, establish and spread to new environments. In order to study the metabolic response of the invasive mussel Limnoperna fortunei (Dunker) (Mytilidae), which has spread through South America and Asia, oxygen consumption was measured under three different acclimation temperatures (18, 22 and 27°C). After an acclimation period of at least 7 days, oxygen consumption was measured and analysed as functions of length and mass. Biochemical composition was also investigated on specimens collected under natural conditions. Environmental scanning electron microscopy determined that the elemental composition and crystalline structure of the shells were normal as described for L. fortunei previously. Average oxygen consumption per mussel was 1.63 ± 0.12 μmol O2 h−1 for an average ash‐free dry weight (AFDW) of 58.7 ± 3.0 mg. The average standard metabolic rate (SMR) per mussel was 14.94 ± 1.30, 30.04 ± 3.38, and 47.10 ± 3.54 μmol O2 gAFDW−1 h−1, at 18, 22 and 27°C, respectively. Significant higher SMR values were recorded at 27°C than at lower temperatures. This metabolic response allows L. fortunei to survive, reproduce and spread across a wide range of habitats, including tropical and subtropical environments in South America.

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Biometric conversion factors as a unifying platform for comparative assessment of invasive freshwater bivalves

Abstract: This article has been accepted for publication and undergone full peer review but has not been through the copyediting, typesetting, pagination and proofreading process, which may lead to differences between this version and the Version of Record. Please cite this article as

Cited by 15 publications

References 56 publications

Abiotic and biotic correlates of the occurrence, extent and cover of invasive aquatic Elodea nuttallii

Abiotic and biotic correlates of the occurrence, extent and cover of invasive aquatic Elodea nuttallii

A machine learning model and biometric transformations to facilitate European oyster monitoring

Metabolic response to increasing environmental temperature in the invasive mussel Limnoperna fortunei

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