Collapse of native freshwater mussel populations: Prospects of a long-term study

Nakamura, Keiko; Sousa, Ronaldo; Mesquita‐Joanes, Francesc

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2023.109931

Cited by 11 publications

(7 citation statements)

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“…This may be the case of freshwater mussels, since bivalves are a main prey of the blue crab (Ebersole & Kennedy, 1995) and predatory events have been already reported in invaded rivers (Ventura et al, 2018). The recent massive collapses of European freshwater mussels populations (Lopes‐Lima et al, 2023; Nakamura et al, 2023) may be accentuated in river stretches invaded by the blue crab. On the other hand, the blue crab has been shown to exert strong controls over invasive freshwater molluscs, such as the apple snail ( Pomacea canaliculata ) and the Asian clam ( Corbicula flumminea ) (Prado et al, 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Far‐reaching blues: Long‐distance migration of the invasive Atlantic blue crab

Bedmar,

Oficialdegui,

Clavero

2024

Aquatic Conservation

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Upstream migration of the Atlantic blue crab Callinectes sapidus is well described in its native range, but it is little known in invaded areas. Here, we report several long‐distance migration events of the blue crab in the Iberian Peninsula and use a global database to calculate the probability of occurrence of the species in relation to distance to sea. We then exemplify the potential of blue crab impacts on freshwaters by overlapping its probability of occurrence with that of the critically endangered European eel Anguilla anguilla. Finally, we evaluate the extent to which dam barriers can halt the upstream migration of the blue crab. Invasive blue crab has been detected at 108 km from the sea in the Guadalquivir River (the farthest distance reported in the non‐native range), at 71 km in the Guadiana River and at 53 km in the Ebro River. The probability of occurrence decreased steeply in the first upstream kilometres, but it is still concerning at a dozen kilometres from the river mouth (50% at 19 km, 25% at 38 km, and 3% at 100 km). The blue crab invasive potential widely overlaps (63%) with the Iberian range of the European eel. The blocking effect of dams on the potential invasion of freshwater systems by the blue crab was limited (13%). Our study highlights the need to study the upstream migration of the blue crab within its non‐native range, since it could involve serious impacts in reachable river and stream habitats.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Far‐reaching blues: Long‐distance migration of the invasive Atlantic blue crab

Bedmar,

Oficialdegui,

Clavero

2024

Aquatic Conservation

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“…In this study, we propose an approach to fill a methodological gap using freshwater mussels and fish hosts of the Iberian Peninsula as a case study to simultaneously account for species interactions, climate change, and dispersal constraints in conservation planning. Iberian freshwater mussels provide a compelling case to test this framework because they are highly threatened (Aldridge et al., 2023; Lopes‐Lima et al., 2023; Nakamura et al., 2023; Sousa et al., 2023), share obligatory interactions with fish hosts (Modesto et al., 2018), are responsible for important ecosystem services (Zieritz et al., 2022), are highly susceptible to climate change (Aldridge et al., 2023; Benson et al., 2021; Lopes‐Lima et al., 2018), and occur in an area particularly affected by the effects of both climate change and river fragmentation (Belletti et al., 2020; Cresswell‐Clay et al., 2022; Pereira et al., 2021). To achieve this, we identified optimal conservation areas that maximized the representation of both current and forecasted distribution (2050s and 2090s) of mussels, fish hosts, and their interactions, under two connectivity scenarios: unlimited dispersal ability and dispersal constrained by artificial barriers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of connectivity in conservation planning for species with obligatory interactions: Prospects for future climate scenarios

da Silva,

Hermoso,

Lopes‐Lima

et al. 2024

Global Change Biology

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Climate change may lead to range shifts, and barriers to such displacements may result in extirpations from previously suitable habitats. This may be particularly important in freshwater ecosystems that are highly fragmented by anthropogenic obstacles, such as dams and other smaller in‐stream barriers. Conservation planning in freshwaters should consider the dynamic effects of climate change and the ability of species to cope with it. In this study, we developed a framework for incorporating climate‐driven dispersal barriers into conservation planning taking into account the medium and long‐term impacts of climate change and species with obligatory interactions. Given that freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionida) are a group of highly threatened organisms dependent on fish hosts to complete their larval development and dispersal, we used Marxan to prioritize areas for their joint conservation in the Iberian Peninsula as a case study. We tested two connectivity scenarios between current and future habitats, (i) unlimited dispersal capacity and (ii) dispersal constrained by artificial barriers, and also identified priority translocation areas for species that were unable to disperse. Accounting for the effects of climate change on species distributions allowed the identification of long‐term conservation areas, but disregarding artificial barriers to dispersal may lead to unrealistic solutions. Integrating the location of barriers allowed the identification of priority areas that are more likely to be colonized in the future following climatic shifts, although this resulted in an additional loss of six to eight features (~5%–7%) compared to solutions without dispersal constraints. Between 173 and 357 artificial barriers (~1.6%–3.3%) will potentially block species dispersal to irreplaceable planning units. Where removal of artificial barriers is unfeasible, conservation translocations may additionally cover up to eight additional features that do not meet conservation targets due to dispersal constraints. This study highlights the challenge of identifying protected areas to safeguard biodiversity under climate change.

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“…Many freshwater mussel species (Bivalvia, Unionida) are currently threatened, and records of declining diversity and abundance have increased in recent years (Lopes‐Lima et al, 2017; Lopes‐Lima, Reis, et al, 2023; Nakamura et al, 2023; Ollard & Aldridge, 2023). This scenario is worrying, as the loss of mussel species can affect the ecological roles mediated by these organisms in freshwater ecosystems.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The duck mussel Anodonta anatina (Linnaeus, 1758) is a widely distributed species, occurring throughout Europe, north‐west Africa and parts of Asia (Froufe et al, 2014; Gomes‐dos‐Santos et al, 2019; Hinzmann et al, 2013; Lopes‐Lima et al, 2017). Currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in Europe, A. anatina populations have declined in many regions and countries in recent decades, including in Portugal (Lopes‐Lima et al, 2014; Lopes‐Lima et al, 2017; Lopes‐Lima, Pereira & Pires, 2023; Nakamura et al, 2023; Ollard & Aldridge, 2023). As a result, the species is now considered as Endangered in Portugal (Lopes‐Lima, Pereira & Pires, 2023).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of adaptive resistance in a widespread freshwater mussel species

dos Santos,

Sousa,

Lopes‐Lima

et al. 2024

Aquatic Conservation

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Organism features, such as size, weight, sex and age, among others, can influence the success of parasitism. For species that depend on a host to complete their life cycle, such as freshwater mussels (Bivalvia, Unionida), understanding how these traits influence parasitism can help guide management actions aimed at improving their reproductive success, ultimately benefitting their conservation. In this study, the physiological compatibility between the duck mussel Anodonta anatina and its host fish was investigated in a simultaneous infestation experiment on four (three native and one non‐native) fish species using sympatric and allopatric host strains. The success of glochidia metamorphosis in juvenile mussels was evaluated as a function of host species, strain and fish length. Successful metamorphosis was achieved in almost all fish species tested and differences were detected between allopatric and sympatric strains, with higher values found in allopatric hosts. Allopatric strains of primary hosts produce more juveniles than marginal hosts and non‐native species. In addition, larger fish have lower rates of metamorphosis. The results confirm recent findings showing high variation in the metamorphosis success of A. anatina glochidia among different native and non‐native hosts, both in the natural environment and in artificial laboratory infestations. Allopatric hosts were more suitable for encystment, demonstrating potential adaptive immunity, not yet observed in A. anatina. Nevertheless, A. anatina may temporarily exploit the naivety of smaller fish regardless of strain. Overall, the results suggest that mussel propagation, reproduction and reintroduction efforts should consider the mechanisms that influence adaptive immunity in fish, including differences in compatibility within and between populations of sympatric and allopatric host strains. This situation should be taken into account, as successful metamorphosis is an important factor in the selection of hosts for juvenile development, especially in efforts to propagate endangered mussel species.

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Collapse of native freshwater mussel populations: Prospects of a long-term study

Cited by 11 publications

References 100 publications

Far‐reaching blues: Long‐distance migration of the invasive Atlantic blue crab

Far‐reaching blues: Long‐distance migration of the invasive Atlantic blue crab

The role of connectivity in conservation planning for species with obligatory interactions: Prospects for future climate scenarios

The role of adaptive resistance in a widespread freshwater mussel species

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