Conservation status and reproduction of the critically endangered freshwater pearl mussel (<i>Margaritifera margaritifera</i>) in Northern Ireland

Reid, Neil; Keys, Alan; Preston, Jane S.; Moorkens, Evelyn; Roberts, Dai; Wilson, Conor

doi:10.1002/aqc.2306

Cited by 12 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 35 publications

(53 reference statements)

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“…M. margaritifera is currently listed as critically endangered in Europe (Cuttelod et al, 2011) and protected in the European Union (EU) under annexes II and V of the European Commission Habitats Directive [92/43/EEC], which require that the EU Member States regularly assess its distribution and abundance and report its conservation status (Reid et al, 2013). In Portugal, the first comprehensive review of M. margaritifera distribution was published by Nobre (1941).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conservation status of the freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera in Portugal

Sousa¹,

Amorim²,

Froufe³

et al. 2015

Limnologica

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a b s t r a c tBased on new information, the current conservation status of the freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera (Linnaeus, 1758) in Portugal is revised. Between 2010 and 2013 surveys were conducted in eight different rivers to assess distribution, abundance, size-frequency and preferential habitat of this species. Rivers Neiva, Cávado and Terva presented very low abundances (in the Cávado no specimens were found) and showed acute signs of ageing, calling into question the future survival of these populations. Although abundances were low in Rivers Beç a, Paiva and Mente, juveniles were present and populations may improve their conservation status in the future, if appropriate management measures are applied. Rivers Rabaç al and Tuela presented the highest abundances of adults and juveniles and these two rivers have the highest potential for the conservation of freshwater pearl mussels in Portugal. However, these two populations have suffered severe declines in several stretches due to the construction of dams in recent years. Given that the Portuguese pearl mussel populations are at the southern range of the species distribution, their conservation should be a priority. This current description of the conservation status of M. margaritifera in Portugal can be used as a reference, and guide future research and management initiatives to better conserve this species.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conservation status of the freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera in Portugal

Sousa¹,

Amorim²,

Froufe³

et al. 2015

Limnologica

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“…A c c e p t e d M a n u s c r i p t 4 Surveys of the freshwater pearl mussel in Northern Ireland indicated that the population in the Ballinderry River is still facing extinction (Beasley et al, 1998;Wilson and Roberts, 2011) as a result of multiple extensive anthropogenic impacts including land use (Reid et al, 2013) and water abstraction (NIEA, 2013a(NIEA, , 2013b. In the Ballinderry River Special Area of Conservation (SAC) M. margaritifera is in Unfavourable/Declining conservation status (Killeen, 2007;Preston, 2011).…”

Section: Page 4 Of 25mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the Ballinderry River Special Area of Conservation (SAC) M. margaritifera is in Unfavourable/Declining conservation status (Killeen, 2007;Preston, 2011). Although gravid mussels and infected host fish have been reported in the Ballinderry river as recently as 2011, there is no evidence of recent recruitment (Reid et al, 2013). Ballinderry Rivers Trust's Freshwater Pearl Mussel Rescue Project ('the Rescue Project') was launched in 2013; building on the success of a 15 year long captive breeding programme (Preston et al, 2007) and pilot reintroductions of juvenile mussels to the river (Wilson, 2010).…”

Section: Page 4 Of 25mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In England and Wales freshwater pearl mussel populations are estimated to have declined by 80% ( Young and Williams, 1983;Cosgrove et al, 2000). The freshwater pearl mussel, once common in Northern Ireland (Beasley et al, 1998), is now found in only six rivers west of Lough Neagh (Reid et al, 2013) and recent research, modelling distributional trends, suggests it may become extinct in the region by 2098 (Wilson and Roberts, 2011). Threats to freshwater pearl mussels include declining water quality (Bauer, 1988;Preston et al, 2007;Österling and Högberg, 2014), pearl fishing (Beasley and Roberts, 1996), habitat degradation (Vaughn and Taylor, 1999;Österling et al, 2008;Österling et al, 2010) and lack of salmonid hosts (Young et al, 2001a;Arvidsson et al, 2012), or the suitability of host strains (Taeubert et al, 2010;Österling and MejdellLarsen, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, adult mussels may be able to survive and reproduce in habitats more heavily impacted by silt as they are not restricted to the interstitial environment . Many pearl mussel populations are "non-functional" (Geist et al, 2006) in rivers across Europe because although adults are present and reproducing, there is no recruitment due to a lack of habitat that is suitable for juveniles ( Geist and Auerswald, 2007;Geist, 2010;Reid et al, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sustainable catchment restoration for reintroduction of captive bred freshwater pearl mussels Margaritifera margaritifera

Horton¹,

Keys²,

Kirkwood³

et al. 2015

Limnologica

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Please cite this article as: Horton, M., Keys, A., Kirkwood, L., Mitchell, F., Kyle, R., Roberts, D.,Sustainable catchment restoration for reintroduction of captive bred freshwater pearl mussels Margaritifera margaritifera., Limnologica (2014), http://dx. AbstractThe Ballinderry River, Co. Tyrone (SAC), is one of only six rivers in Northern Ireland that still supports a population of the globally endangered freshwater pearl mussel, Margaritifera margaritifera. Fewer than 1000 individuals still exist in the river; without intervention it is predicted the Ballinderry pearl mussel will be extinct by 2098. This paper aims to identify key catchment pressures on remaining mussel stocks and prioritise tributaries within the catchment for remediation work to ensure effective targeting of limited resources. A combination of redox assessment, river surveys and SCIMAP modelling was used to rank tributaries, taking into consideration their size and proximity to the main mussel population at the "sanctuary site". Diffuse and point sources of sediment were identified within the prioritised catchment. The Tulnacross tributary was selected as the highest priority tributary and has been used in a pilot remediation study. A number of different hard and soft engineering techniques have been used for remediation as well as replacing cattle drinkers with pasture pumps and fencing alongside the river. Initial observations suggest river substrate is cleaner. This study is an example of how to tackle problems within a large-scale catchment with limited resources with participation of local stakeholders and riparian landowners.

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Development of release methods for captive‐bred freshwater pearl mussels (Margaritifera margaritifera

Kyle

Reid

O’Connor

et al. 2016

Aquatic Conservation

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Biodiversity loss is a global problem with freshwater bivalves considered among the most endangered biota. The freshwater pearl mussel, Margaritifera margaritifera, is declining throughout its range owing to habitat degradation and overexploitation. In most of its range, populations are regarded as reproductively non‐functional, which has led to the development of captive breeding programmes. A novel method of releasing M. margaritifera was tested, with captive‐bred juveniles being released into the rivers caged in ‘mussel silos’ (protective concrete domes with ventilation creating upwelling to ensure water through‐flow). In total, 240 juvenile mussels were released and survival and growth rates were monitored for 18 months after release for three size classes: A (13.01–20.00 mm); B (10.01–13.00 mm); and C (4.01–10.00 mm). Two experimental treatments were tested: one in which sediment was added to each silo (allowing mussels to orientate and burrow) and one without sediment. Survival by the end of the experiment at month 18 was significantly higher for the largest size class at 97% (although growth was lowest in this cohort), and lowest for the smallest size class, at 61% (although growth was highest in this cohort). Survival and growth were unaffected by the experimental treatment suggesting that adding sediment offered no advantage. Growth was positively correlated both with water temperature and with particle size of suspended solids (both of which were collinear, peaking in summer). There are many ex situ breeding programmes for freshwater pearl mussels throughout Europe and the results of this study suggest that the use of mussel silos may be a useful tool to protect juvenile mussels, allowing them to be released at a relatively early stage of development and minimizing the risk of domestication. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Conservation status and reproduction of the critically endangered freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) in Northern Ireland

Cited by 12 publications

References 35 publications

Conservation status of the freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera in Portugal

Conservation status of the freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera in Portugal

Sustainable catchment restoration for reintroduction of captive bred freshwater pearl mussels Margaritifera margaritifera

Development of release methods for captive‐bred freshwater pearl mussels (Margaritifera margaritifera

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