RAD-tag and mitochondrial DNA sequencing reveal the genetic structure of a widespread and regionally imperiled freshwater mussel, (Bivalvia: Unionidae).

is a species of freshwater mussel native to the Mississippi River and Laurentian Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River drainages of North America. This mussel has experienced population declines across large parts of its distribution and is imperiled in many jurisdictions.

Boundaries and hybridization in a secondary contact zone between freshwater mussel species (Family:Unionidae).

Correct species identification and delineation are crucial for effective conservation and management. However, species delineation can be problematic in the presence of morphological ambiguities due to phenotypic plasticity, convergence, and/or interspecific hybridization. Here, we investigated the degree of hybridization between two closely related freshwater mussel species [Bivalvia: Unionidae; Lampsilis siliquoidea (Barnes) and L.

New microsatellite markers for Ellipse, Venustaconcha ellipsiformis (Bivalvia: Unionidae), with notes on optimal sample size and cross-species amplification.

Venustaconcha ellipsiformis (Unionidae) is a freshwater mussel species inhabiting small to medium streams of the Midwestern United States; however, its occurrence is rather sporadic and populations are often isolated. Due to anthropogenic habitat degradation and water pollution, this species is designated as some sort of conservation status in many states. To prioritize conservation strategies, highly variable genetic markers are necessary to assess population genetic structure and potential genetic erosion of V.

Testing the utility of DNA barcodes and a preliminary phylogenetic framework for Chinese freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionidae) from the middle and lower Yangtze River.

The middle and lower portions of the Yangtze River basin is the most species-rich region for freshwater mussels in Asia. The management and conservation of the taxa in this region has been greatly hampered by the lack of a well-developed phylogeny and species-level taxonomic framework. In this study, we tested the utility of two mitochondrial genes commonly used as DNA barcodes: the first subunit of the cytochrome oxidase c gene (COI) and the first subunit of the NADH dehydrogenase gene (ND1) for 34 putative species representing 15 genera, and also generated phylogenetic hypotheses for Chinese unionids based on the combined dataset of the two mitochondrial genes.

Genetic structure and diversity of Nodularia douglasiae (Bivalvia: Unionida) from the middle and lower Yangtze River drainage.

The Yangtze River drainage in China is among the most species rich rivers for freshwater mussels (order Unionida) on Earth with at least 68 species known. The freshwater mussels of the Yangtze River face a variety of threats with indications that species are declining in abundance and area of occupancy. This study represents the first analyses of the genetic structure and diversity for the common and widespread freshwater mussel Nodularia douglasiae based on microsatellite DNA genotypes and mitochondrial DNA sequences.

Detection of barriers to dispersal is masked by long lifespans and large population sizes.

Population genetic analyses of species inhabiting fragmented landscapes are essential tools for conservation. Occasionally, analyses of fragmented populations find no evidence of isolation, even though a barrier to dispersal is apparent. In some cases, not enough time may have passed to observe divergence due to genetic drift, a problem particularly relevant for long-lived species with overlapping generations.

Phylogeny of the most species-rich freshwater bivalve family (Bivalvia: Unionida: Unionidae): Defining modern subfamilies and tribes.

Freshwater mussels of the order Unionida are key elements of freshwater habitats and are responsible for important ecological functions and services. Unfortunately, these bivalves are among the most threatened freshwater taxa in the world. However, conservation planning and management are hindered by taxonomic problems and a lack of detailed ecological data.

Competitive replacement of invasive congeners may relax impact on native species: interactions among zebra, quagga, and native unionid mussels.

Determining when and where the ecological impacts of invasive species will be most detrimental and whether the effects of multiple invaders will be superadditive, or subadditive, is critical for developing global management priorities to protect native species in advance of future invasions. Over the past century, the decline of freshwater bivalves of the family Unionidae has been greatly accelerated by the invasion of Dreissena. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the current infestation rates of unionids by zebra (Dreissena polymorpha) and quagga (D.

Evolution of active host-attraction strategies in the freshwater mussel tribe Lampsilini (Bivalvia: Unionidae).

Most freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionoida) require a host, usually a fish, to complete their life cycle. Most species of mussels show adaptations that increase the chances of glochidia larvae contacting a host. We investigated the evolutionary relationships of the freshwater mussel tribe Lampsilini including 49 of the approximately 100 extant species including 21 of the 24 recognized genera.