The status and conservation of the freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera Linn. in Great Britain

Young, Mark R.; Williams, Jennifer C.

doi:10.1016/0006-3207(83)90029-0

Cited by 86 publications

(111 citation statements)

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“…At present, the largest European pearl mussel populations with several million individuals and an intact age structure occur in Russian rivers of the Kola peninsula (Ziuganov et al, 2001). Large populations are also reported from Scandinavia and the British Isles, with Scotland still holding a large number of important populations (Young & Williams, 1983). Pearl mussel distribution in the south of the species' range on the Iberian peninsula was originally considered to be limited to a few small populations in Northern Spain (Bauer, 1986), until important and reproductively active populations have recently been rediscovered in Portugal (Reis, 2003) and in Galicia in North-West Spain (Outeiro et al, 2008;San Miguel, pers.…”

Section: Distribution and Population Structurementioning

confidence: 99%

“…A recent study estimated peak releases up to 441 million glochidia per day for a Scottish population (Hastie & Young, 2003b). The proportion of adults producing glochidia is relatively high even in sparse populations (Young & Williams, 1983;Schmidt & Wenz, 2000;Schmidt & Wenz, 2001;Hastie & Young, 2003b), and reduced fecundity does not seem to be the limiting factor preventing juvenile recruitment in most pearl mussel populations.…”

Section: Percentage Of Total [%]mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Young & Williams, 1983;Schmidt & Wenz, 2000;Schmidt & Wenz, 2001;Hastie & Young, 2003b). Thus, problems with this initial phase in the life cycle do not seem to be the primary reason for the serious population declines.…”

Section: Aspects Of Conservation On the Individual And Population Levelmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Strategies for the conservation of endangered freshwater pearl mussels (Margaritifera margaritifera L.): a synthesis of Conservation Genetics and Ecology

2010

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Freshwater pearl mussels (Margartifera margaritifera L.) are among the most critically threatened freshwater bivalves worldwide. The pearl mussel simultaneously fulfils criteria of indicator, flagship, keystone and umbrella species and can thus be considered an ideal target species for the process conservation of aquatic ecosystem functioning. The development of conservation strategies for freshwater pearl mussels and for other bivalve species faces many challenges, including the selection of priority populations for conservation and strategic decisions on habitat restoration and/or captive breeding. This article summarises the current information about the species' systematics and phylogeny, its distribution and status as well as about its life history strategy and genetic population structure. Based on this information, integrative conservation strategies for freshwater mollusc species which combine genetic and ecological information are discussed. Holistic conservation strategies for pearl mussels require the integration of Conservation Genetics and Conservation Ecology actions at various spatial scales, from the individual and population level to global biodiversity conservation strategies. The availability of high resolution genetic markers for the species and the knowledge of the critical stages in the life cycle, particularly of the most sensitive post-parasitic phase, are important prerequisites for conservation. Effective adaptive conservation management also requires an evaluation of previous actions and management decisions. As with other freshwater bivalves, an integrative conservation approach that identifies and sustains ecological processes and evolutionary lineages is urgently needed to protect and manage freshwater pearl mussel diversity. Such research is important for the conservation of freeliving populations, as well as for artificial culturing and breeding techniques, which have recently been or which are currently being established for freshwater pearl mussels in several countries.

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Section: Distribution and Population Structurementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Percentage Of Total [%]mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Strategies for the conservation of endangered freshwater pearl mussels (Margaritifera margaritifera L.): a synthesis of Conservation Genetics and Ecology

2010

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“…Post-parasitic juvenile mussels begin to pedal-feed on algae and organic matter as soon as they fall from the fish host, and will therefore require suitable substrate for their initial development (Geist & Auerswald 2007). The transition from benthic to filter feeding represents a critical period for survival in captive breeding programmes (Hastie & Young 2003a), as the early juvenile stages appear to be very vulnerable to disturbance and have narrow substrate requirements (Young & Williams 1983). Several factors are critical for their survival and growth, including substrate type, silt content, water quality and an adequate supply of nutrients (Skinner et al 2003, Geist et al 2006.…”

Section: Stocking Of Infected Fish Hostsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Captive breeding of the endangered freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera

Thomas¹,

Taylor²,

et al. 2010

Endang. Species. Res.

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Freshwater pearl mussels (Unionidae: Bivalvia) rank among the most endangered aquatic invertebrates, and this has recently prompted a number of initiatives designed to propagate the species through captive breeding. Yet there are few guidelines to aid in freshwater mussel culture for conservation, and few or no results on the fate of released juveniles. We reviewed various ex situ strategies for freshwater mussel conservation with emphasis on the freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera (L.), one of the most critically endangered unionids. Captive breeding could help safeguard critically endangered populations, but current rearing methods need to be optimised. Areas in particular need of research include the collection and storage of viable glochidia, the development of efficient rearing systems, and the formulation of algal diets. Likewise, the degree of host specificity warrants further investigation, as this will largely dictate the success of reintroduction programmes. Finally, we note that more information is needed on the degree of genetic structuring and post-release survival before translocation programmes can be recommended. As with other conservation projects, captive breeding of the freshwater pearl mussel cannot compensate for loss of critical habitats and is likely to be most efficient in combination with in situ conservation, not in isolation.

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“…Mussels in populations of M. margaritifera in Spain, the southernmost distribution area for the species in Europe (Young et al 2001), have a lifespan similar to that of M. laevis (Table 3). Margaritiferid mussels probably do not have a postreproductive period (Awakura 1969, Bauer 1987, and M. laevis and M. margaritifera reach sexual maturity when they are about 13 (Akiyama 2007) and 12-13 years old in Scotland (Young & Williams 1984), respectively. These results suggest that the reproductive period in M. laevis is shorter than that of M. margaritifera in higher latitudinal areas.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Growth parameters of endangered freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera laevis, Unionoida)

Akiyama¹,

Iwakuma²

2009

fal

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Abstract:We observed periodic increments of the annuli to verify the annual growth-age relationship in two populations of a freshwater pearl mussel, Margaritifera laevis (Bivalvia, Unionoida), in northern Japan and confi rmed that one annulus is added each year. The relationship between yearly shell growth and age was regarded as a unimodal distribution. We fi tted several growth models to the shell length-age relationships of these two populations, which had different densities and age distributions. The Gompertz function showed the best fi t, in terms of both RSS (residual sum of squares) and the difference between the observed maximum shell length and the asymptotic shell length. The life span of M. laevis was shorter than that reported for Margaritifera margaritifera populations at higher latitudes (≥ 50°N), which have been widely recognized as threatened. Margaritiferid mussels living at lower latitudes tend to have shorter life spans and smaller maximum size. These results suggest that margaritiferid mussels in southern regions such as M. laevis in Japan and M. margaritifera in Spain may be particularly vulnerable when conditions are unsuitable for juvenile mussels for prolonged periods.

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The status and conservation of the freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera Linn. in Great Britain

Cited by 86 publications

References 1 publication

Strategies for the conservation of endangered freshwater pearl mussels (Margaritifera margaritifera L.): a synthesis of Conservation Genetics and Ecology

Strategies for the conservation of endangered freshwater pearl mussels (Margaritifera margaritifera L.): a synthesis of Conservation Genetics and Ecology

Captive breeding of the endangered freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera

Growth parameters of endangered freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera laevis, Unionoida)

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