Corbicula Fluminalis Research Articles

The occurrence and density of some molluscs species in different areas of Basrah province, southern of Iraq and first record of The invasive golden mussel Limnoperna fortunei (Dunker, 1857).

The study was conducted to compare the distribution and composition of the Molluscs community in 4 ecosystems (4 sites) in southern of Iraq, namely: (Site 1)- in Euphrates River at Al-Madinah city, (Site 2)- in Shatt Al-Arab at Al-Sharsh area, (Site 3)- in the Garmat Ali River at Al-Mashib area and Site 4- in the Al-seba area. Samples were collected from study sites during a period of January to August 2019. (11) species from the class Gastropoda and (4) species from the class Bivalves, species were predominated in most of the study months which are species: Melenodies nodosa, Bellamya bengalensis and Melanopsis turbculata from Gastropoda and two of the species are bivalve: Corbicula fluminalis and Limnoperna fortunei (Dunker, 1857), and the last species, L. fortunei, was recorded in the current study for the first time in freshwater of Iraq. The total biodiversity values of Molluscs at the Euphrates River at Al-Madinah area (Site. 1), Al-Sharsh area (Site 2), Al-Mashib area (Site 3) and Al-seba area (Site 4) were 3.1, 2.9, 2.4, 1.8, respectively, and It was noted that the highest seasonal densities of the species in the current study were recorded in the winter season, reaching 1013, 905, 762 and 639 individuals / m2 in four sites, respectively.

Cytogenetic characteristics of invasive Corbicula fluminalis (Bivalvia: Cyrenidae) of the Northern Dvina River basin

The ploidy between invasive Corbicula lineages can be di-, tri-, and tetraploid. Currently, some invasive populations of this genus remain unaffected by cytogenetic studies. In this study, we determined the chromosome set of invasive C. fluminalis (O. F. Muller, 1774) from Northern European Russia. According to our results, the chromosome set C. fluminalis consists of 54 chromosomes, which can be divided into 18 groups of 3 phenotypically identical chromosomes. Among them we can distinguish 3 metacentric chromosomes, 15 submetacentric chromosomes and 36 subtelo-acrocentric chromosomes.

Genetic and Morphological Characterization of the Invasive Corbicula Lineages in European Russia

Despite the full attention of malacologists to the study of Corbicula clams, stimulated mainly due to their high invasive potential and unique breeding system, studies based on an integrative taxonomic approach to identify various invasive lineages of this genus in European Russia are still limited. Our fieldwork was conducted in the Don, Volga, and Caspian Sea basins. In total, four distinct morphotypes belonging to the European forms R, Rlc, S, and “Int” of Corbicula clams were distinguished. According to our molecular genetic data, two Corbicula lineages, relevant to the nominal species Corbicula fluminea and C. fluminalis, can be defined. We observed a discrepancy between mtDNA haplotypes and morphological features for all individuals that were sampled from the Don and Kura Rivers. Identified mismatch may be due to the androgenetic reproduction of Corbicula that leads to cytonuclear inconsistencies. The 28S rRNA polymorphism in C. fluminea and C. fluminalis from studied localities was recorded. This occurrence is perhaps due to hybridization events between forms R, S, and Rlc. The biogeographic origins of Corbicula invasive lineages are discussed. Corbicula fluminalis (FW17, form S) has been detected for first time in the native range, namely in Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Myanmar. We assume that the invasion of C. fluminalis into reservoirs and watercourses of the Caspian Sea basin (Republic of Dagestan and Stavropol Krai of Russia) was from Western Asia and Transcaucasia, and the introduction of C. fluminea to the Don and Volga River basins was from unspecified European countries.

Species Composition and Ecology of Mollusks of the Unionidae and Corbiculidae Families of the Zaamin Water Storage

The material was collected in the waters of the Zaamin water storage in the summer, autumn and spring seasons of 2018-2023. Collected 67 samples, 244 specimens of mollusks. The determination was carried out according to generally accepted methods. The species composition of mollusks and their ecological state were studied. It was revealed that Euglesa (Euglesa) turkestanica, Euglesa (Pseudeupera) turanica and Odhneripisidium (Kuiperipisidium) sogdianumare common in the waters of the upper part. Corbicula fluminalis, C. (Corbicula) tibetensis, and C. (Corbicula) ferghanensis inhabit the deep-water biotopes of the southern coast of the water storage. A total of 8 species and 1 subspecies of bivalves have been identified.

Mollusks of the Amu-Bukhara Channel

We found that 7 species and 1 subspecies and 1 variety of mollusks are common in the old channel of the river Zerafshan, where the Amu-Bukhara canal currently flows. Mollusks are divided into 3 ecological groups depending on habitat conditions: pelorheophils (Corbicula fluminalis, C. purpurea, C. (Corbicula) tibetensis, C. (Corbicula) ferghanensis, Cyrena (Corbicula) cor, Sinanodonta gibba, S. puerorum), rheophils (Anodonta (Colletopterum) cyrea subsp. sogdiana) and pelolimnophils (A. piscinalis var. volgensis).

Biodiversity of Mollusca in Dalmaj Marsh, Southern Marshland, Al-Diwaniya City, Iraq

One of nature’s most valuable resources, biodiversity plays a critical role in meeting many of human requirements and protecting from environmental extremism conditions. Mollusca benthic invertebrates are important biota in aquatic ecosystems and need further investigation. The current study highlights some species recorded in Al-Delmage Marsh in Iraq. The current study points out six species of Mollusca. These species are Melanoides tuberculate, Physa acuta, Viviparus bengalensis, Lymnaea radix, Corbicula fluminalis and Corbicula fluminea. Ecological indices reveal decrease in the values of Shannon (H’), Evenness (E), Margalef (R). This result reflects the ecological disturbance that the world faces over time and Iraq is the fifth country in this regard.

Invasions of New Morphotypes of Corbicula fluminalis and Corbicula fluminea (Bivalvia: Corbiculidae) to the Basin of the Dagestan Region of the Caspian Sea

Invasions of New Morphotypes of Corbicula fluminalis and Corbicula fluminea (Bivalvia: Corbiculidae) to the Basin of the Dagestan Region of the Caspian Sea

INVASIONS OF NEW MORPHOTYPES OF <i>CORBICULA FLUMINALIS </i>AND <i>CORBICULA FLUMINEA</i> (BIVALVIA: CORBICULIDAE) TO THE BASIN OF THE DAGESTAN REGION OF THE CASPIAN SEA

The article reports the discovery of populations of Corbicula mollusks in the south of the European part of Russia (N 43°, E 47°). Representatives of the genus Corbicula are included in the 100 most actively spreading invasive species. The aim of the study was to identify species and morphotypes in the Caspian Sea basin. For the first time on the territory of the Russian coast of the Caspian Sea at the mouth of the Sulak River in November 2019, 2 live specimens of the new morphotype B/Rlc Corbicula fluminea (Eastern corbicula, Asian Clam) (O.F. Müller, 1774) were found. In November 2021, 26 live individuals of the A/R C. fluminea morphotype were found in the Yuzbash-Sulak reservoir; 13 individuals of the A/R morphotype and 90 specimens of the C/S Corbicula fluminalis (O.F. Müller, 1774) morphotype in the Prisulak canal were found. A study of the morphometric parameters of the shells showed that the corbicules found belonged to different morphotypes, with well-distinguishable conchiological signs. The data obtained expand the understanding of the morphological variability of corbicules. A study of the species and size-age composition of populations was carried out. It was revealed that C. fluminea and C . fluminalis discovered on the Dagestan coast were new species and morphotypes of corbicules for the Russian sector of the Caspian Sea. The studied samples were dominated by mollusks of size and age groups corresponding to the age from 1.5 to 3 years, which indicated a recent settlement into a new reservoir for them. The populations of C. fluminalis studied from 2017 to 2021 were dominated by mollusks aged 5-6 years, which indicated an earlier introduction of this species. High physiological tolerance combined with different breeding strategies of the representatives of the genus Corbicula give grounds to assume a high probability of their successful naturalization in estuarine and freshwater ecosystems of the Dagestan region of the Caspian Sea.

N – alkanes in molluscs of Shatt Al-Arab river

This study comprises monitoring of the n-alkanes in the Shatt Al-Arab river by using the seven molluscs species as bioindicators. These species are: snails Lymnaea auricularia, Theodoxus jordani, Physa acuta, Melanopsis nodosa, and Melanoides tuberculata and bivalves Corbicula fluminea and Corbicula fluminalis. The species of molluscs are collected from different locations of the Shatt Al-Arab river (along the region extended from Abu Al-Khasib to Garmat-Ali) during 2004 and 2005. Each species consisted of at least 3500 adult of individuals of uniform sizes. The hydrocarbons from these species were extracted and analyzed both by spectroflurometer (total hydrocarbons) and high resolution capillary gas chromatography (n-alkanes). The concentrations of total hydrocarbons in mollusc’s species of the Shatt Al-Arab river ranged from 1.93 μg/g dry weight in T. jordani to 26.56 μg/g dry weight in C. fluminea. The range of carbon chain length of n-alkanes in these individuals was ranging from C13 - C32. The bimodal distribution with two maxima around C17 and C27 suggested two different sources of hydrocarbons both biogenic and anthropogenic. The dominance of the odd carbon numbers n-alkanes (C15, C17, C25 and C29) in the mollusc’s species indicated biogenic origin of hydrocarbons .The pristane values were more than those of phytane. Pristane and phytane in the mollusc’s species suggest biogenic origin. CPI values are more than one indicating a biogenic origin of hydrocarbons in these species. Squalane is also present in some these species intimately related to anthropogenic sources of hydrocarbons. The presence of Unresolved Complex Mixture (UCM) reflects the anthropogenic sources. The lower fat contents were found in T. jordani (0.33 mg/g) and the higher were in C. fluminea (0.98 mg/g). A significant relationship is found between the fat contents and hydrocarbons concentrations in the tissues of molluscs species (r = 0.8 - 0.9).

Heavy metal concentrations in the bivalve Corbicula fluminalis shells from Shatt Al-Arab River

This study was to investigate the contamination in the Shatt Al-Arab River by determining the heavy metals in the limnic bivalve Corbicula fluminalis, a sentinel species. The results showed that the values of Ba, Zn, Pb, Ni, Co, Cr, Sr, Cu, Mn and Fe in Corbicula fluminalis shells increased significantly from the beginning point toward the central part of Shatt Al-Arab River. This increase may be explained from the high incidence of pollution from sewage, development, and industry in the central part of Shatt Al-Arab River compared to the north

A new Middle Pleistocene interglacial occurrence from Ejby, Sjælland, Denmark

Despite more than a century of investigations, parts of the Quaternary stratigraphy of Denmark with their fragmented record of deposits remain ambiguous. Here we describe a newly found interglacial clay deposit from Ejby on Sjælland, Denmark, from a borehole at 55.695°N, 11.839°E (terrain elevation 5.7 m above sea level). We place the new occurrence on record and provide details of the macrofossil analysis of the sample. The clay contains remains of the present-day temperate bivalve Corbicula fluminalis and the caddis fly Hydropsyche contubernalis – both inhabiting rivers. The presence of C. fluminalis indicates that the deposit most probably is of Middle Pleistocene age, older than the last interglacial, the Eemian.

Anthropogenic-induced environmental changes in the Nile-delta and their consequences on molluscan biodiversity and community structure

Global climate changes and anthropogenic pressures have altered many coastal ecosystems worldwide. To understand the consequences of these perturbations on the community structure of the benthic communities, the fauna and the sediments retrieved from a short core in the Manzala Lagoon, which is largest in the Nile Delta, were quantitatively analyzed. The 120 cm long-core represents 170 years. A significant ecosystem shift took place in the upper 41 cm of the lagoon sediments were attributed to hydrodynamic changes, associated with the construction of Aswan High-Dam, where heavy metals concentrations, Pollution Load Index (PLI), and fine-grain sediments were increased. Consequently, the community structure of the benthic fauna was dramatically changed. Currently, the benthic community is dominated by brackish and opportunistic taxa (e.g., Fulvia fragilis, Pirenella conica, Corbicula fluminalis, and Melanoidestuberculata). In contrast, the pre-impact community contains equilibrium freshwater species. These salinity-controlled communities were better characterized on both Bray-Curtis -based Constrained Clustering (CC) and non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling (nMDS). The faunal density and Dominance Index are higher in the top samples, which point either to anthropogenic disturbance or taphonomic (mechanical or chemical) distortion with depths. However, higher species richness in lower samples suggested that the mechanical distortion has not altered the original communities and point to anthropogenic drivers of the diversity loss. Further declining or even extinction of the equilibrium species in the future is expected if no restoration programs implemented soon. Furthermore, nMDS and RMA regression models showed that the distribution of benthic fauna is governed by abiotic factors (e.g., water salinity, metal concentrations, and sediment grain-size). The latter indicates that biotic traits of benthic fauna such as feeding-mode and life-habit are highly sensitive to minor environmental changes and thus can be used as a robust indicator in paleoenvironmental reconstructions.

ASSESSMENT OF INFLUENCE OF THE AUTOACCLIMATIZERS ON AUTOCHTHONOUS BIVALVE MOLLUSKS

Anthropogenic transformation of the Caspian Sea biocenoses results in the loss of their uniqueness and decrease of their biodiversity. In recent years the main role in the formation of biomass has played the autoacclimatizant mollusks Abra ovata , Mytilaster lineatus and Cerastoderma glaucum which dominate the biocenoses of the Caspian sea and are the main food components of valuable commercial benthivorous fishes. In 2018 live specimens of Corbicula fluminalis (O. F. Muller, 1774), a new species of bivalve mollusks for the Russian sector of the Caspian sea and the entire European part of Russia, were first discovered on the Daghestan coast.

Sediment toxicity of the fungicide fludioxonil to benthic macroinvertebrates -evaluation of the tiered effect assessment procedure.

28-Day sediment-spiked laboratory toxicity tests with eight benthic macroinvertebrates and the lipophilic fungicide fludioxonil were conducted to verify the proposed tiered sediment effect assessment procedure as recommended by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The test species were the oligochaetes Lumbriculus variegatus and Tubifex tubifex, the insects Chironomus riparius and Caenis horaria, the crustaceans Hyalella azteca and Asellus aquaticus and the bivalves Corbicula fluminalis and Pisidium amnicum. Toxicity estimates were expressed in terms of total concentration of dry sediment as well as in pore water concentration. Field-collected sediment, also used in a previously performed sediment-spiked microcosm experiment, was used in tests with all species. L. variegatus and C. riparius had similar lowest 28d-L(E)C10 values when expressed in terms of total sediment concentration, but in terms of pore water concentration L. variegatus was more sensitive. Three of the six additional benthic test species (A. aquaticus, C. horaria, C. fluminalis) had 28d-EC10 values a factor of 2-6 lower than that of L. variegatus. Comparing different effect assessment tiers for sediment organisms, i.e. Tier-0 (Modified Equilibrium Partitioning approach), Tier-1 (Standard Test Species approach), Tier-2 (Species Sensitivity Distribution (SSD) approach) and Tier-3 (Model Ecosystem approach), it is concluded that the tiers based on sediment-spiked laboratory toxicity tests provide sufficient protection when compared with the Tier-3 Regulatory Acceptable Concentration (RAC). Differences between Tier-1 and Tier-2 RACs, however, appear to be relatively small and not always consistent, irrespective of expressing the RAC in terms of total sediment or pore water concentration. Derivation of RACs by means of the SSD approach may be a challenge, because it is difficult obtaining a sufficient number of valid chronic EC10 values with appropriate 95% confidence bands for sediment-dwelling macroinvertebrates. Therefore, this paper proposes a Tier-2 Weight-of-Evidence approach to be used in case an insufficient number of valid additional toxicity data is made available. Similar studies with pesticides that differ in fate properties and toxic mode-of-action are necessary for further validation of the tiered effect assessment approach for sediment organisms.

The Application of Artificial Mussels in Conjunction with Transplanted Bivalves to Assess Elemental Exposure in a Platinum Mining Area

There is increasing evidence that platinum group elements (PGE) are pollutants of emerging concern worldwide. Limited information exists on levels, particularly in regions where PGEs are mined. A passive sampling device (i.e., the artificial mussel (AM)) and transplanted indicator organisms (i.e., the freshwater clam Corbicula fluminalis africana) were deployed along a PGE mining gradient in the Hex River, South Africa, and concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, Pb, Pt, V, and Zn were determined after six weeks of exposure. Results showed differential uptake patterns for Pt, Cr, and Ni between the AMs and clams indicating availability differences. For monitoring purposes, a combination of AMs and indicator organisms provides a more holistic assessment of element exposure in aquatic environments.

New Alien Species Mytilopsis Leucophaeata and Corbicula Fluminalis (Mollusca, Bivalvia) Recorded in Georgia and Notes on Other Non-Indigenous Molluscs Invaded the South Caucasus

Abstract First records of invasive bivalve freshwater mollusc species Mytilopsis leucophaeata (Conrad, 1831) and Corbicula fluminalis (O. F. Müller, 1774) in Georgia are reported. No native or alien extant dreissenid species have ever been recorded form this region so far. A finding of C. fluminalis in Georgia is also a new record for the country though this species inhabits the rivers of adjacent Azerbaijan. Apart from two mentioned bivalve molluscs three non-indigenous gastropod species are registered from Georgia: freshwater Ferrisia californica (Rowell, 1863) and Physella acuta (Draparnaud, 1805) and land snail Eobania vermiculata (O. F. Müller, 1774).

First Record of Live Clams of Corbicula fluminalis (Bivalvia: Corbiculidae) in the Dagestan Sector of the Caspian Sea Basin

In the basin of the Dagestan sector of the Caspian Sea, live specimens of Corbicula fluminalis (O.F. Muller, 1774) (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Veneroida: Corbiculidae) were recorded for the first time. On April 19 and June 21, 2018, three clams of this species were reported in the benthic samples from the northern part of the Agrakhan Bay, which has a natural connection to the sea.

Unraveling the complexity of Corbicula clams invasion in Lake Garda (Italy)

Lake Garda, the largest Italian lake, is suffering from the introduction of several non-indigenous species during the last decades and can now be considered one of the main European freshwater hotspots of xenodiversity. Among the Bivalvia (Veneroidea, Cyrenidae), Corbicula fluminea and Corbicula fluminalis were first recorded in 2002 and 2008 respectively, and are now widespread in the southern part of the basin. Recent observation of specimens that did not resemble either of these taxa, suggested that the populations of invasive Corbicula of Lake Garda could include some other taxa not previously recorded. With this aim, a thoroughly characterization of Corbicula shells found at Lake Garda was made. By studying morphometric parameters and comparing them with specimens collected in Spain (Ebro and Ter rivers), the presence in Lake Garda of two other related species not previously recorded in Italy, namely C. leana and C. largillierti, has been confirmed. The syntopic presence of at least four species of this genus in a single environment is a singular occurrence both in Italy and Europe.

Evolution of Early and Middle Pleistocene river valley systems in Polish-Ukraine-Belarus cross-border areas based on geological and malacological proxies

The geological setting of the Bug–Pripyat interfluve and the close proximity of the source of the Pripyat River to the well-developed Middle Bug River valley suggest that these rivers may have been connected in the past. Analysis of geological cross-sections around the Polish-Ukraine-Belarus cross-border areas together with study of associated Pleistocene palaeoflora shows that buried alluvial deposits of the proto-Bug and proto-Pripyat clearly represent the Preglacial (MIS 103-23), Podlasian/Turskian-Donian/Brest Interglacial (Cromerian I-II; MIS 21-17) and the Mazovian/Likhvinian/Alexandrian Interglacial (Holsteinian; MIS 11c). Their elevated position in mid-eastern Poland suggests the possibility of accumulation by proto-Bug waters flowing eastwards, which determined the formation and development of the lower-lying proto-Pripyat valley system in northwestern Ukraine at those times. The occurrence of the Ponto-Caspian species Lithoglyphus naticoides (C. Pfeiffer, 1828), Borysthenia naticina (Menke, 1845) and Corbicula fluminalis (O.F. Muller, 1774) in the mollusc assemblages of the Mazovian/Likhvinian/Alexandrian Interglacial implies that the main watershed between the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea drainage basins might have been situated in the northern part of the area studied. Presumably its main part was drained by the waters of the proto-Bug catchment connected with the proto-Pripyat and flowing farther to the east towards the Dnieper River entering the Black Sea.

TO THE FAUNA OF BIVALVE MOLLUSCS OF THE DAGESTAN COAST OF THE CASPIAN SEA

Aim. The aim is to study bivalve mollusks of the Dagestan zone of the Caspian Sea as the main feed for all the fish fauna in modern conditions. Material and methods. For the study, are used the materials received in the period of spring-autumn 2015-2017. The collection of material and data processing was carried out according to traditional methods. For the study of nutrition, 30 specimens of each fish species were opened. Such feeding characteristics as the composition of food and the ratio of feed components are given. In the study of shells of bivalve mollusks, the following morphological parameters were measured: length (L), height (H), convexity (Con.), in accordance with the most common measurement technique. Were calculated the allometric coefficients for each year of the life of the individual: the coefficient of elongation (the ratio of height to length), the convexity coefficient (the ratio of convexity to the height). Results. At all periods of the level regime, mollusks are the main food resource of the Caspian Sea. At present they form the basis of the food bolus of the investigated commercial fish species. In June 2017, 25 km north of the city of Makhachkala, after a storm, we found 109 shells of Corbicula fluminalis (O.F. Müller, 1774) (a new invasive atypical species for the investigated aquatorium), the third part of which still had the remains of the ligament. The species was the third most abundant and represented by specimens of all age stages. Conclusions. At present, there are fluctuations in the biomass of the autocolonizers Cerastoderma lamarcki (Reeve), Mytilaster lineatus (Gmelin) and Abra ovata (Philippi), as well as a significant reduction in the range of autochthonous Caspian species, mainly Didacna Eichw. Bivalve mollusks are the main food resource of the Caspian Sea. In conditions of increasing anthropogenic load, further detailed studies of the Caspian's malacofauna are needed.