New records from the Ponto-Azov region demonstrate the invasive potential ofMytilopsis leucophaeata(Conrad, 1831) (Bivalvia: Dreissenidae)

Decline of unique Pontocaspian biodiversity in the Black Sea Basin: A review

“…fluminea, which was first found in the Don River in 2017 (Zhivoglyadova et al, 2018), is considered one of the most aggressive invasive species tending to lead to negative environmental consequences (Bespalaya et al, 2018;Crespo et al, 2015) and is therefore likely to be a hazardous exotic species for PC mollusks in the freshwater and oligohaline zones. Recently, the brackish water mussel M. leucophaeta was reported from the inner Taganrog Bay (Zhulidov et al, 2015), which, if capable to survive low winter temperatures, can disrupt PC habitats, as has been reported in the Dniester Liman.…”

“…In freshwater and oligohaline zones, among numerous alien species, two species of mollusks (a) D. bugensis, a PC species from the Dnieper-Bug Estuary, and (b) Potamopyrgus antipodarum, a species from New Zealand, have affected the original PC communities (Son, 2007a(Son, , 2008. In the lower zone of the Dniester Liman, alien species (especially Mytilopsis leucophaeta) occupy the vacant niches of PC species, which are not adapted to rapid salinity changes (Zhulidov et al, 2015). These invasive species, in the lower zone of the Dniester Liman, have taken advantage of the PC species decline, but have not necessarily been demonstrated to have driven the reduction and disappearance of PC communities.…”

Salinity as a barrier for ship hull-related dispersal and invasiveness of dreissenid and mytilid bivalves

“…The benthic phase of M. leucophaeata can survive salinities as low as 0.1 and as high as 17.5 PSU (Zhulidov et al 2015 and the literature discussed therein). Field transplantation experiments confirm that individuals can stay alive in fresh water for 4 months under winter conditions (Verhofstad et al 2013 ).…”

“…With increased vessel speed and vessel traffic and a complete network of rivers and canals over continental Europe (Leuven et al 2009 ; Bij de Vaate et al 2013 ), these species have the opportunity to settle everywhere where more or less stable brackish water conditions occur. However, in the Mediterranean, there is still a wide distribution gap of M. leucophaeata between the southern coast of France and the localities in the Black Sea (Zhulidov et al 2015 ). This part of Europe including Italy, the Balkan states and Greece, falls outside the European canal-river network and M. leucophaeata can only colonize harbors in these regions via seagoing vessels.…”

“…It occurs in temperate and subtropical regions (Van der Velde et al 2010b ). M. leucophaeata is a brackish water species of North American origin which invaded Europe (Zhulidov et al 2015 ). This species occurs mainly in tropical to subtropical and warm-temperate regions (Marelli and Gray 1983 ; Van der Velde et al 2010b ).…”