Distribution and current status of non-indigenous mollusc species in Lithuanian inland waters

Rokas Butkus,Kęstutis Arbačiauskas,Vytautas Rakauskas,Eglė Šidagytė

doi:10.3391/ai.2014.9.1.08

Abstract

We present a comprehensive overview of distribution data of non-indigenous mollusc species in Lithuanian inland waters. The data are based on our own observations obtained during 2007–2013 as well as on published and unpublished records from the last 80 years. Four nonindigenous species have been reported to occur in Lithuanian freshwaters: Dreissena polymorpha, Lithoglyphus naticoides, Potamopyrgus antipodarum and Physella acuta. The last species, however, has not been found in Lithuania since the 1950s. D. polymorpha is the most widespread non-indigenous mollusc species in Lithuania. It was observed in 159 out of 226 investigated localities. The other species are less common. L. naticoides was recorded in 43 sites, whereas P. antipodarum was found in 35 localities. In addition to the possible reappearance of P. acuta, four more mollusc species which are currently absent from Lithuanian freshwaters have been reported as non-indigenous from neighbouring countries and thus might potentially invade Lithuanian inland waters in the future.

Highlights

Lithuania is situated along the south-eastern shore of the Baltic Sea
It is considered that D. polymorpha appeared in Lithuanian waters during the early 1800s (Szidat 1926; Olenin et al 1999)
Among the four non-indigenous mollusc species reported from Lithuanian inland waters, one species supposedly has not survived in the region

Summary

Introduction

Lithuania is situated along the south-eastern shore of the Baltic Sea. The major part of its territory is covered by the Nemunas river basin and only the northern part falls into other river basins. The Nemunas River represents the northern branch of the central invasion corridor which provided a pathway for the expansion of a few Ponto-Caspian invaders, including molluscs, into Lithuanian waters (Arbačiauskas et al 2011a). The Klaipėda port, located in the northern part of the Curonian Lagoon, has served as a gateway for species transferred by marine vectors (Leppäkoski et al 2002). Other vectors such as deliberate or accidental introductions have been involved in primary invasions by nonindigenous aquatic species (Arbačiauskas et al 2011a)

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