Physella Acuta Research Articles

Freshwater molluscs of the Dyje (Thaya) River and its tributaries - the role of these water bodies in expansion of alien species and as a refuge for endangered gastropods and bivalves

The malacofauna of the Dyje River, including the lower sections of its five tributaries, is still rich and diversified despite the pollution, regulation and building of several dam reservoirs. In total, 42 freshwater mollusc species (24 gastropods, 18 bivalves) were found at 75 sites. The richest malacofauna (30 species) was recorded in the lower section of the Dyje. Populations of endangered or rare molluscs Theodoxus danubialis, Viviparus acerosus, Lithoglyphus naticoides, Unio crassus, Pseudanodonta complanata, Pisidium amnicum and P. moitessierianum were found. The first three species inhabit only the area under study in the Czech Republic. Especially the occurrence of Unio crassus corresponds with river sections that were only partly affected by human activities (long distance below dam reservoirs, less polluted sections, unregulated watercourses). The occurrence of five invasive species, four originating from other continents (Potamopyrgus antipodarum, Physella acuta, Ferrissia fragilis, Sinanodonta woodiana) and one (Dreissena polymorpha) originally Ponto-Caspian, was confirmed for the Dyje River and its tributaries. The Dyje River formed the main invasion route from the Danube River into Moravia (eastern part of the Czech Republic).

Is reproduction of the snail Physella acuta affected by endocrine disrupting compounds? An in situ bioassay in three Iberian basins

An in situ bioassay was conducted in three Iberian basins (Ebro, Llobregat and Júcar Rivers) to study the reproductive effects on the freshwater snail Physella acuta. Adult individuals were transplanted in specially designed cylindrical cages. Endpoints included mortality, number of eggs and clutches, number of eggs per clutch and embryo development after 8 days. The results were contrasted with laboratory controls. Significant changes in P. acuta reproduction parameters were detected in all of the rivers: the number of clutches or eggs per snail decreased in the Ebro and Llobregat basins downstream but the number of eggs per clutch increased. The complete development of snails was delayed at some sites downstream in the Júcar and the Ebro basins. The results were contrasted with concentrations of Endocrine Disrupting Compounds (EDCs) and their Estrogenic Equivalent Quotients (EEQs). Positive relationships (Pearson correlations) were identified between the number of eggs per clutch and the total EDC concentration, bisphenol A (BPA) and their EEQs, lipid regulators and diuretics. These endocrine-disrupting chemicals may constitute a toxicological risk for the reproductive performance of snails in the studied basins.

Diversity and distribution of Mollusca in relation to the physico-chemical profile of Gho-Manhasan stream, Jammu (J K)

The present communication is aimed at assessing the molluscan diversity and distribution under the impact of some physico-chemical variables on them in Gho-Manhasan stream (a distributory of Chenab), Jammu (J & K). The study involved bottom sampling for 12 months (June, 2010 to July, 2011) from the banks of the stream and registered a total of 11 taxa of freshwater molluscs from class Gastropoda and Bivalvia representing 54.453 and 45.546% of the total population of molluscs. Numerically, Pissidium mitchelli (Bivalvia) was the most abundant taxa followed by Melanoides tuberculata (Gastropoda). Lymnea luteola, Bellamya bengalensis, Physella acuta, Gyraulus ladacensisshowed less frequent appearance whereas Lamellidens corrianus and Corbicula cashmeriensis were recorded as rare taxa. Analysis of the data revealed that the physico-chemistry of the stream exercised profound effect on the diversity and distribution of the malacofauna. Significant changes in molluscan assemblages were primarily due to changes in the stream water quality. Coefficient of correlation (r) between molluscs and physico-chemical parameters revealed significant relationship with bivalves. Key words: Physico-chemical profile, distributory, gastropoda, bivalvia, malacofauna and correlation.

Life stage-specific effects of the fungicide pyrimethanil and temperature on the snail Physella acuta (Draparnaud, 1805) disclose the pitfalls for the aquatic risk assessment under global climate change

It can be suggested that the combined stress of pesticide pollution and suboptimal temperature influences the sensitivity of life stages of aquatic invertebrates differently.The embryo, juvenile, half- and full-life-cycle toxicity tests performed with the snail Physella acuta at different concentrations (0.06–0.5 or 1.0 mg L−1) of the model fungicide pyrimethanil at 15, 20 and 25 °C revealed, that pyrimethanil caused concentration-dependent effects at all test temperatures. Interestingly, the ecotoxicity of pyrimethanil was higher at lower (suboptimal) temperature for embryo hatching and F1 reproduction, but its ecotoxicity for juvenile growth and F0 reproduction increased with increasing temperature.The life-stage specific temperature-dependent ecotoxicity of pyrimethanil and the high fungicide susceptibility of the invasive snail clearly demonstrate the complexity of pesticide–temperature interactions and the challenge to draw conclusions for the risk of pesticides under the impact of global climate change.

How did this snail get here? Several dispersal vectors inferred for an aquatic invasive species

Summary1. How species reach and persist in isolated habitats remains an open question in many cases, especially for rapidly spreading invasive species. This is particularly true for temporary freshwater ponds, which can be remote and may dry out annually, but may still harbour high biodiversity. Persistence in such habitats depends on recurrent colonisation or species survival capacity, and ponds therefore provide an ideal system to investigate dispersal and connectivity.2. Here, we test the hypothesis that the wide distributions and invasive potential of aquatic snails is due to their ability to exploit several dispersal vectors in different landscapes. We explored the population structure of Physa acuta (recent synonyms: Haitia acuta, Physella acuta, Pulmonata: Gastropoda), an invasive aquatic snail originating from North America, but established in temporary ponds in Doñana National Park, southern Spain. In this area, snails face land barriers when attempting to colonise other suitable habitat.3. Genetic analyses using six microsatellite loci from 271 snails in 21 sites indicated that (i) geographically and hydrologically isolated snail populations in the park were genetically similar to a large snail population in rice fields more than 15 km away; (ii) these isolated ponds showed an isolation‐by‐distance pattern. This pattern broke down, however, for those ponds visited frequently by large mammals such as cattle, deer and wild boar; (iii) snail populations were panmictic in flooded and hydrologically connected rice fields.4. These results support the notion that aquatic snails disperse readily by direct water connections in the flooded rice fields, can be carried by waterbirds flying between the rice fields and the park and may disperse between ponds within the park by attaching to large mammals.5. The potential for aquatic snails such as Physa acuta to exploit several dispersal vectors may contribute to their wide distribution on various continents and their success as invasive species. We suggest that the interaction between different dispersal vectors, their relation to specific habitats and consequences at different geographic scales should be considered both when attempting to control invasive freshwater species and when protecting endangered species.

Effects of indomethacin and propranolol on Chironomus riparius and Physella (Costatella) acuta

New analytical methods are available for detecting novel xenobiotic compounds in freshwater systems. Pharmaceuticals are suspected of having effects on freshwater biota at very low concentrations, although the nature of these effects remains unclear. Previous data from the Llobregat River revealed a positive statistical relationship between the biomass of benthic macroinvertebrates and the presence of certain non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and beta-blockers. Here, experiments were conducted with the midge Chironomus riparius and the freshwater snail Physella (Costatella) acuta in sediments and water, respectively. The sediments and water were treated with the pharmaceuticals propranolol and indomethacin, with the aims of assaying the effects of these compounds on the organisms and testing the statistical relationships observed in field. The variables measured were survival; C. riparius biomass; and the carbon/nitrogen ratio, lipid content and fertility of freshwater snails. Indomethacin in treated sediments induced an increase in C. riparius biomass, whereas propranolol inhibited growth, albeit at marginal statistical significance. By contrast, indomethacin in water had no effect on any of the parameters measured in P. acuta.

Early succession of the macroinvertebrate community in a shallow lake: Response to changes in the habitat condition

In the present study the initial succession of the aquatic macroinvertebrate communities of a newly created shallow lake in a wetland area was monitored during 15 months. Three different types of macroinvertebrate samples (multihabitat, associated to the Phragmites australis stands and associated to the sediment) were collected monthly from May 2004 to July 2005. Additional samples were collected in the reed stand in 2007, when the reed belt had become much taller and thicker. Colonization of the lake was fast, and the colonization sequence was mainly related to the dispersal abilities of the taxa. Habitat-specific changes in the assemblage's structure and composition were registered. The communities associated to the sediment showed a decrease in overall biomass, density and species richness along time. The density of the gastropod Physella acuta and the chironomid species Dicrotendipes pallidicornis , Polypedilum nubifer and Tanytarsus horni decreased significantly, after Chara stands declined; while the chironomid Chironomus riparius became dominant. The epiphytic macroinvertebrate communities associated with the reed stands followed a seasonal pattern, with a warm-period community dominated by the chironomid species Ablabesmyia monilis and Psectrocladius sordidellus -group, and a cold-period community dominated by the chironomid species Cricotopus ornatus and D. pallidicornis .

Differential effect of wave stress on the physiology and behaviour of native versus non-native benthic invertebrates

In fresh waters, non-native invertebrate species preferentially spread via navigation waterways, where they often dominate assemblages. Littoral habitats in navigation waterways are regularly exposed to ship-induced waves. We conducted experiments to test the effects of artificial wave exposure on the relative performance of wide-spread native and non-native species. We compared physiological and behavioural response variables (i.e. growth rate, glycogen content, feeding and swimming activity) of two amphipods (native Gammarus roeselii and non-native Dikerogammarus villosus) and two gastropods (native Bithynia tentaculata and non-native Physella acuta) subject to wave and control (i.e. no wave) treatment flumes across a 6-week period. Growth, and in part glycogen content (as a measure of energy storage), were significantly reduced after exposure to waves in native invertebrates, but not in non-native invertebrates. The reduction in growth may be associated with the disturbance effects of waves, such as the higher swimming activity of G. roeselii and lower food uptake of B. tentaculata. In comparison, the effective hiding behaviour observed for D. villosus and good swimming ability of P. acuta, were identified as important traits facilitating the successful colonisation of the harsh habitat conditions of littoral waterways. Our study demonstrates that artificial wave regimes may contribute significant selective pressure, thus explaining the observed dominance of non-native species in navigational waterways. The success of non-native species under the harsh hydraulic habitat conditions of these socio-economically driven ecosystems may consequently be traced directly to behavioural and/or physiological traits.

Příspěvek k poznání vodních měkkýšů evropsky významné lokality Bystřice se zaměřením na populaci velevruba tupého (Unio crassus) [A contribution to the knowledge of aquatic molluscs of the Bystřice SCI focused on the population of Unio crassus

This paper brings results of a malacological survey of the Bystřice River on the territory of the Site of Community Importance (SCI) Bystřice (Eastern Bohemia, Czech Republic). The research was focused on the population of endangered bivalve Unio crassus which is the main object of conservation of this SCI. Twenty one species of aquatic molluscs (11 gastropods, 10 bivalves) were found in 2010. Most of the molluscs belong to common and widespread species. Altogether 26 species have been found during research in the Bystřice River since 2000. Expansion of non-native species Potamopyrgus antipodarum and Physella acuta is the most visible change in comparison with the previous research. The research in 2010 confirmed existence of the occurrence of Unio crassus all over the SCI and also upstream of this site. The population density documented in 2010 was higher than that found during the previous research. In the upper part of the SCI, the density of U. crassus population was at least 1 ind./1 m of the river stream while in the lower part it did not exceed 1 ind. per 10 m of the river. The reason was the canalisation of the river and the absence of suitable sediments. The occurrence of the bivalve was not recorded downstream of the SCI.

First records of the North American gastropod Physella acuta (Draparnaud, 1805) in the Kuybyshev Water Reservoir, Russia

The gastropod Physella acuta (Draparnaud, 1805) has been recorded for the first time on shallow shore areas in the Volga Reach of Kuybyshev Water Reservoir, Russia during a sampling in 1998, and for the second time in the same Volga Reach in 2009. The way of its invasion is still unknown. Possibly, this gastropod was introduced from aquariums, and, less possibly, migrated from the lower reaches of the Volga River.

Within-reach spatial variability of snails and molluscivory by brown trout

Linking habitat distributions of prey to the probability of predation is important to understanding consumptive effects of predators on prey populations. This study reports how within-reach spatial variability of two snails, the hydrobiid Potamopyrgus antipodarum and the physid Physella acuta, was linked to habitat-based predation risk by young brown trout (Salmo trutta) of different age classes. Potamopyrgus is endemic to New Zealand streams and lakes, where it commonly co-exists with the invader P. acuta, but both snails are worldwide invaders to many freshwater systems. Examination of egested snails revealed Potamopyrgus and Physella were consumed in similar numbers within age classes. However, 10-month-old trout consumed, on average, fewer snails than 20-month-old trout, and 8-month-old trout ate essentially no snails, suggesting snails were a more important prey item for larger age-1 fish than smaller age-0 fish. No Physella were egested alive by any trout age class. However, 38% and 16% of the Potamopyrgus consumed were egested alive by 10- and 20-month-old trout, respectively, with some passing live after ~70 h in digestive tracts. Physella and the spiny-shell form of Potamopyrgus were significantly denser on macrophytes than on stony sediments in midchannel, and these habitat distributions affected their odds of consumption. Risk of consumption by trout was ~10 times greater for Physella than Potamopyrgus on stones, but their risk was similar in protective macrophytes. Odds of consumption were similar for spiny and smooth shell forms of Potamopyrgus on stones, suggesting spines do not provide protection from large predators like trout. My results suggest that brown trout can potentially exert stronger population regulatory effects on Physella than on Potamopyrgus and that these effects are partly mediated by macrophyte cover.

Modern fauna and quantitative parameters of invasive invertebrates in zoobenthos of upper reaches of the Kuybyshev Reservoir, Russia

On the basis of data for the period 1998–2008, a faunistic review of invasive species of zoobenthos in the upper reaches of the Kuybyshev Reservoir is given. In total, 30 species are revealed: polychaetes—3; oligochaetes—2; leeches—1; mollusks—5; crustaceans—19 (gammarids—9; corophiums—2; cumaceans and mysids—3 each; narrow-clawed crayfish Astacus leptodactilus and shrimp Macrobrachium nipponense). Invasive species account for 10.8% of the total zoobenthos taxonomic composition. For the first time in the Kuybyshev Reservoir, the following species were noted: polychaete Hypaniola kowalewskii; oligochaete Potamothrix heuscheri; gastropod mollusk Physella acuta; crustaceans Pterocuma pectinata, Stenocuma cercaroides, Dikerogammarus villosus, and Pontogammarus robustoides. Quantitative indices of the main systematic groups and selected mass invader species are presented. The decrease in number and biomass of the majority of species is noted. The exception is the mollusk D. bugensis, whose abundance during the study period increased by approximately a factor of ten.

Cohabitation enhances the avoidance response to heterospecific alarm cues in a freshwater snail

In aquatic habitats prey often show maximum responsiveness to predators when they are exposed to kairomones and alarm cues in combination. As alarm cues can derive from heterospecific as well as conspecific animals, prey may need to fine tune their responses depending on the taxa with which they co-occur. We used juveniles of the freshwater gastropod, Lymnaea stagnalis L. (great pond snail) to test whether the response to heterospecific alarm cues could be enhanced by cohabitation in the absence of predators, and therefore without the potential for cue association learning. Snails were raised from oviposition alongside one of four other pulmonate species, differing in their phylogenetic relatedness to L. stagnalis, that is, from intragenus to intrasuborder. The antipredator response to heterospecific alarm cues paired with fish kairomones was then compared with the response of L. stagnalis reared in isolation. Cohabitation increased the response to heterospecific alarm cues paired with fish kairomones only when L. stagnalis had developed in the presence of closely related (Lymnaea fusca and Radix balthica) rather than distantly related heterospecifics (Physella acuta and Planorbarius corneus). Hence, in L. stagnalis, learning to recognize heterospecific alarm cues can occur without the need for cue association but the learnt response is constrained by species' relatedness. This result suggests that differential responses observed in studies based on wild-caught animals in response to heterospecific alarm cues may be explained by learning through cohabitation alone.

Current knowledge of the distribution of invasive mollusc species in Slovakia

The problem of introduced plant and animal species has become increasingly imprtant in recent years. Some of these species are found only in greenhouses or thermal waters (Helisoma trivolvis, Menetus dilatatus, Melanoides tuberculata, Planorbella duryi, Holandriana holandrii, Gulella io, Opeas goodallii, Zonitoides arboreus, Pseudosuccinea columella), others expand quickly and efficiently to favourable habitats (Potamopyrgus antipodarum, Physella acuta, Arion rufus, A. lusitanicus, Sinanodonta woodiana, Corbicula fluminea, Dreissena polymorpha) or form small populations there (Ferrisia clessiniana, Lucilla singleyana, Boettgerilla pallens). This paper presents all information on the distribution of invasive mollusc species in Slovakia, both published and unpublished, available to date.

A new record of the North American gastropod Physella acuta (Draparnaud, 1805) from the Neman River Basin, Belarus

The North American gastropod Physella acuta (Draparnaud, 1805) has been recorded for the first time in the Neman River basin, Belarus during a biological survey carried out on 23 August 2007. One specimen was found in a shallow water microhabitat (depth 0.2 m) amongst sand and mud. Most likely, this alien gastropod was introduced either by local aquarium keepers, or from Poland via the Augustov canal.

Euparyphium albuferensis and Echinostoma friedi (Trematoda: Echinostomatidae): experimental cercarial transmission success in sympatric snail communities

Euparyphium albuferensis and Echinostoma friedi cercarial infectivity to four species of sympatric snails was examined under single- or multiple-choice laboratory conditions to show the level of parasite-snail host compatibility. Radix peregra, Lymnaeafuscus, Physella acuta and Gyraulus chinensis act as second intermediate hosts of both parasite species although different cercarial transmission success (CTS) was observed. In single-host experiments, R. peregra and P. acuta showed a high degree of compatibility with E. albuferensis, while only P. acuta in the case of E. friedi. In two-choice snail communities, a snail with high CTS increased the values of another with low compatibility, in both parasite species. In multiple-choice snail communities, high CTS of some hosts decreased, while low CTS of other hosts increased. The degree of parasite-host compatibility of each snail species could be determined by the presence of other snails in the community.

Příspěvek k poznání vodních měkkýšů Vsetínské Bečvy a okolí (Česká republika) [Contribution to the knowledge of aquatic molluscs of the Vsetínská Bečva River and its surroundings (Czech Republic)

This paper brings a review of a malacological survey of the Vsetínská Bečva River, its tributaries, canals and other different aquatic habitats in surroundings (Eastern Moravia, Czech Republic). Vsetínská Bečva is a 58 km long river which rises in 870 m a.s.l. and joins Rožnovská Bečva River in Valašské Meziříčí at 288 m asl. Research was focused on endangered bivalve Unio crassus. Aquatic molluscs at 63 sites were studied in 2007. Altogether 19 species of aquatic molluscs (12 gastropods, 7 bivalves) were found. Three non-native species Potamopyrgus antipodarum, Physella acuta, and Gyraulus parvus, which are rare in Moravia, were found. Occurrence of vulnerable but in this region relatively common prosobranch Bythinella austriaca was confirmed in springs and rivulets. Research based on bivalves provided more interesting results. Existence of two large populations of Unio crassus were documented in two canals (mill races) in Hovězí and Vsetín. Populations of Unio crassus were estimated at 1500–2500 individuals in Hovězí and 1000–4000 individuals in Vsetín. Occurrence of young individuals of Unio crassus were confirmed in both cases. Rare bivalves Pisidium amnicum and P. moitessierianum were found at one site in Canal in Vsetín and also non-native Dreissena polymorpha was found at one site – the gravel pit near Nový Hrozenkov.

Vodní měkkýši přehradní nádrže Slapy (Česká republika) [Aquatic molluscs of the Slapy Reservoir (Czech Republic)

This paper brings a review of a malacological survey of the Slapy Reservoir (Central Bohemia, Czech Republic). This dam water reservoir was built in 1957 on the Vltava River with area 1392 ha, length 44 km, max. deepness 58 m and altitude 270.6 m. Aquatic molluscs at 22 sites were studied from 2005 to 2006. Altogether, 30 species of aquatic molluscs (21 gastropods, 9 bivalves) which represent nearly 40% of the total Czech aquatic mollusc fauna were found despite the absence of littoral vegetation. Bithynia tentaculata, Radix auricularia, R. cf. ampla, Gyraulus albus, Hippeutis complanatus, Sphaerium corneum, Anodonta anatina and surprisingly also vulnerable Anodonta cygnea belong to most frequent molluscs found during this research. Record of near threatened gastropod Viviparus viviparus fill in long gap among its occurrence in the Vltava River downstream of the Slapy Reservoir (last of the dam water reservoirs on the Vltava River) and in tributaries of the Vltava River in Southern Bohemia (Lužnice, Nežárka). Occurrence of four non-native species (Potamopyrgus antipodarum, Physella acuta, Menetus dilatatus, Ferrissia fragilis) were documented.

Infectivity of Echinostoma friedi miracidia to different snail species under experimental conditions

The infectivity of Echinostoma friedi (Trematoda: Echinostomatidae) miracidia was studied experimentally in a range of laboratory-reared snails that coexist in the same natural locality, namely Radix peregra, Lymnaea fuscus, L. truncatula (Lymnaeidae), Gyraulus chinensis, Helisoma duryi (Planorbidae) and Physella acuta (Physidae), and snails from different geographical origins acting naturally or experimentally as intermediate hosts of Schistosoma spp., namely Planorbarius metidjensis (from Málaga, Spain), Biomphalaria glabrata (Guadeloupe), B. alexandrina (Egypt) (Planorbidae), Bulinus cernicus (Mauritius), B. globosus (Zambia), B. natalensis (South Africa) and B. truncatus (Niger) (Bulinidae). Six species of snails were found to be susceptible, with the rate of infection ranging from 0 to 36.7%. The highest infection was detected in R. peregra. The low host specificity of E. friedi might have an epidemiological significance as a requisite for a recent establishment in a new geographical area.

Mäkkýše hlavných typov vôd dolného Hrona [Mollusca in main water bodies in the lower Hron River, Slovakia

The aim of this study is to describe the main types of water bodies in the lower Hron River (Slovakia) using Mollusca as ‘functional describers’ of the ecosystem dynamics. In European context, the Hron River belongs with its average discharge 53.7 m3.s–1 to small rivers; course length is 297 km. Major part of the alluvial plain exhibits strong human impact, though there are still relics of relatively well-preserved main successional stages of water bodies. The sampling (set-time period method) was stratified on the distribution of aquatic macrophytes (if presented). A total of 35 species was found alive (23 gastropods, 12 bivalves). The most constant species were Radix auricularia and Galba truncatula. In eupotamon, 13 species were found; characteristic species were Valvata piscinalis, Gyraulus albus, Unio pictorum, U. tumidus, Pisidium spp., Ancylus fluviatilis, and Radix peregra. In parapotamon, the bivalve Sphaerium corneum was a characteristic species, plesiopotamon had no characteristic species; for paleopotamon were characteristic Planorbis planorbis and Aplexa hypnorum, also a non-indigenous snail Physella acuta was constant. In anthropogenic water bodies no differentiative species were presented; the presence and dominance of Physella acuta is typical.