Glochidia are the larval stage of freshwater unionid mussels that parasitize the fins and gill apparatus of fish. A total of 22 fish species were examined for the presence of glochidia whose distribution on individual hosts was studied on three common fish species, the roach Rutilus rutilus (L.), perch Percafluviatilis L. and bitterling Rhodeus sericeus (Pallas). Between 1997 and 1999, the fish...

Doubly uniparental inheritance (DUI) of mitochondrial DNA, different from maternal inheritance, is known to occur in five bivalve families (Mytilidae, Veneridae, Unionidae, Margaritiferidae, Hyriidae). DUI involves two types of mitochondrial DNA: F type, inherited from the mother and M type, inherited from the father. Females have only F type mtDNA, males have both types, M type being located i...

This research represents the first attempt in Italy to develop a cage system for adult freshwater mussel stocking, for extensive farming, that was realized from 2003 to 2005 in NW Italy. Two autochthonous species of Italian freshwater mussel were used: Anodonta anatina and Unio mancus. 5133 mussels were collected and successively stocked in floating cages in 5 different sites in a lake. This st...

The objectives of the survey were to analyse the structure of the mollusc communities in the mining subsidence reservoirs that were created as a result of land subsidence over exploited hard coal seams and to determine the most predictive environmental factors that influence the distribution of mollusc species. The reservoirs are located in urbanised and industrialised areas along the Trans-Reg...

Urbanization can considerably affect water reservoirs by, inter alia, input, and accumulation of contaminants including metals. Located in the course of River Cybina, Maltański Reservoir (Western Poland) is an artificial shallow water body built for recreation and sport purposes which undergoes restoration treatment (drainage) every 4 years. In the present study, we demonstrate an accumulation ...

1. Freshwater mussels of the family Unionidae are one of the most threatened groups worldwide and have suffered severe decline over recent decades. Although the freshwater duck mussel, Anodonta anatina (Linnaeus, 1758), is still widespread, this species has shown evidence of recent declines and is already protected in some

This note is the first communication of the occurrence of the alien Anodonta (Sinanodonta) woodiana (Lea, 1834) (Bivalvia: Unionidae) in Lake Maggiore (Northern Italy). We have found empty shells of the bivalve first in August 2010, and since then, this species is colonizing rapidly the second deepest subalpine lake in Italy. Preliminary findings on morphometric features of A. woodiana in the L...