Status of the endangered Glenelg River Mussel Hyridella glenelgensis (Unionoida: Hyriidae) in Australia

• 1. Hyridella glenelgensis is a small freshwater mussel that occurs in the Glenelg–Wannon river system in south‐western Victoria and is listed as ‘threatened’ under the state Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. The species has rarely been reported since its discovery in 1898, and there are no records from the late 1920s until 1990, and again in 2000, when small numbers were found in the Crawford River, a Glenelg tributary.
• 2. This investigation established that a population still persists in the lower reaches of the Crawford. The mussels prefer sandy sediment in flowing reaches where there is instream woody debris and overhanging vegetation. In these areas, the main threats are land clearance and stock access to the channel and riparian areas.
• 3. The shell morphology of H. glenelgensis and specimens presumed to be H. narracanensis from Eight Mile Creek, south‐eastern South Australia, is distinct. Similar distinctions are apparent for shells from historical museum collections.
• 4. Mitochondrial DNA analysis of very small samples of mussels from the Crawford River and Eight Mile Creek indicates little genetic divergence, suggesting that these could be ecophenotypic variants of one species, which by priority would be H. glenelgensis. Scanning electron microscopy of glochidia indicates morphology typical of the genus.
• 5. Future investigations could include genetic analyses to confirm the taxonomic identity of the populations described here, surveys to locate new populations and measures to protect known habitats.

Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A critical reflection on the success of rearing and culturing juvenile freshwater mussels with a focus on the endangered freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera L.)

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Expression of taurine transporter in response to hypo-osmotic stress in the mantle of Mediterranean blue mussel

Expression of taurine transporter in response to osmotic stress was investigated at the protein level in the mantle of the Mediterranean blue mussel by using the specific antibody raised against the carboxy-terminal region of the deduced amino acid sequence of mussel taurine transporter. Immunohistochemical observation revealed that taurine transporter was expressed in the mantle and the expression was up-regulated in response to hypo-osmotic stress, while down-regulated in response to hyper-osmotic stress. Western blot analysis revealed major protein bands corresponding to 62 kDa and 65 kDa. In response to hypo-osmotic stress, the 62 kDa band became more intense, while it became less intense when the ambient osmolality was elevated. These results suggested that the 62 kDa taurine transporter would be implicated in hypo-osmotic adaptation.     

Seasonal variations of physiological parameters in the blue mussel mytilus spp. from farm sites of eastern Quebec

A seasonal monitoring of indigenous (Gaspé Bay, Carleton, Havre-St-Pierre, Magdalen Islands and Blanc-Sablon) and transplanted (Gaspé Bay, Carleton, Havre-St-Pierre) mussels from different farm sites of Eastern Quebec allowed us to study mussel physiology as a function of environmental factors. A positive influence of phytoplankton cell concentration and temperature on the reproductive cycle was discovered even if no significant relationship has been showed because of the fragmented pattern of gametogenesis. A decrease of digestive gland index (DGI) was observed during gametogenesis. Development of gametes needs much energy and its great influence on digestive gland weight prevented us to correlate mussel growth with environmental factors. A decrease of phagocytic activity was observed in each site in midsummer, concomitantly to the most active spawning period. A significant positive correlation was remarked between maturity index in males and phagocytosis. A decrease of phagocytic activity could then have a direct impact on mussel population since it occurred during high temperature period when mussels had to face spawning, bacterial developments and diseases. It appeared in our study that reproductive cycle is a key event in mussel physiology and important for mussel farmers to follow-up. In the near future, we intend to develop and validate reliable indicators of the reproductive cycle in cultured mussels.     

Impact of fish and pearl farming on the benthic environments in Gokasho Bay: Evaluation from seasonal fluctuations of the macrobenthos

ABSTRACT: In order to clarify the influence of mariculture on the benthic fauna, samples of the macrobenthos were collected from Gokasho Bay, where intensive fish culture and pearl oyster culture have been carried out. Monthly samples collected from the fish farm and pearl farm sites during June 1995 to July 1996 revealed that the community structure of the two sites showed distinct differences with seasonal fluctuations. At the fish farm site, azoic conditions were found from July to November; after December, the diversity increased markedly through successive recruitments of small-sized species such as the polychaetes Capitella sp. and Pseudopolydora paucibranchiata , and the amphipods Aoroides spp.; macrofaunal density, biomass and species richness peaked from March to April. At the pearl farm site, a higher diversity, including larger-sized species, and no clear seasonal fluctuations in abundance was found, and the community structure was similar to that at the control site. These results show the large impact by fish farming on the macrofauna, whereas pearl farming causes less effect on the benthic fauna. It is suggested that the difference in the level of organic input between the two sites results in the differences in the dissolved oxygen content of the bottom water, sulfide content of the sediments and, subsequently, the macrobenthic assemblages.     

Rediscovery of the largest population of the freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) in the Leningrad oblast (north‐west Russia)

• 1. An internationally important population of the freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) was rediscovered in a small river in north‐west Russia.
• 2. A survey of visible mussels in 2008/2009 indicated an estimated population of 40 000 individuals. This is the largest population currently known in the Leningrad oblast and is comparable with the entire pearl mussel population of some western European countries.
• 3. The average density of visible mussels was 29.6 individuals m^?2 in the middle part of the river. In the four largest mussel beds maximum densities of 1000+ individuals m^?2 were recorded. Such densities are exceptional and have not been reported elsewhere in Europe during the last 100 years.
• 4. Live juvenile mussels were recorded, indicating that that this population is viable, although further investigation is required to establish its status.
• 5. Analysis of the population age structure, based on the measurement of empty shells, showed an age class distribution similar to those reported for other healthy Margaritifera populations.
• 6. Only two live juveniles were found. However, this is likely to be due to the survey being restricted to counts of visible mussels only, and the age structure being based on the analysis of dead shells.
• 7. The population's current status and possible reasons for its survival in this river are discussed. Conservation measures should include the construction of a fish ladder to make fish migration through the culvert possible, removal of a metal screen preventing fish migration from the upper reaches of the river to the lake, reduction of recreation activities, and providing the local children's camp with water treatment facilities. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

     

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