Toward invasive mussel genetic biocontrol: Approaches, challenges, and perspectives.

Invasive freshwater mussels, such as the zebra (), quagga (), and golden () mussel have spread outside their native ranges throughout many regions of the North American, South American, and European continents in recent decades, damaging infrastructure and the environment. This review describes ongoing efforts by multiple groups to develop genetic biocontrol methods for invasive mussels. First, we provide an overview of genetic biocontrol strategies that have been applied in other invasive or pest species.

Cytogenetic characterization of the golden mussel (Limnoperna fortunei) reveals the absence of sex heteromorphic chromosomes.

The golden mussel (Limnoperna fortunei) is an aggressive invasive species in South America, where it endangers native species and freshwater ecosystems, in addition to causing extensive economic losses, mainly to the hydroelectric sector. Currently, there's no efficient control method available and the invasion has progressed across the continent. Its high reproduction rate is one of the key factors of the golden mussel's high invasive potential and, recently, efforts have been done in order to understand the reproduction and the sexual features of this species.

Monoterpene biotransformation by Colletotrichum species.

Objective: To investigate the biocatalytic potential of Colletotrichum acutatum and Colletotrichum nymphaeae for monoterpene biotransformation.

Results: C. acutatum and C.

A hybrid-hierarchical genome assembly strategy to sequence the invasive golden mussel, Limnoperna fortunei.

Background: For more than 25 years, the golden mussel, Limnoperna fortunei, has aggressively invaded South American freshwaters, having travelled more than 5000 km upstream across 5 countries. Along the way, the golden mussel has outcompeted native species and economically harmed aquaculture, hydroelectric powers, and ship transit. We have sequenced the complete genome of the golden mussel to understand the molecular basis of its invasiveness and search for ways to control it.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the golden mussel Limnoperna fortunei and comparative mitogenomics of Mytilidae.

Here we describe the mitochondrial genome of the golden mussel Limnoperna fortunei, an Asian bivalve which has become one of the most aggressive invasive species in Japan and South America. The mitochondrial genome of L. fortunei does not present conserved gene arrangement when compared to the other Mytilidae species suggesting a high degree of gene recombination in the mitochondria of this clade.

Gene discovery through transcriptome sequencing for the invasive mussel Limnoperna fortunei.

The success of the Asian bivalve Limnoperna fortunei as an invader in South America is related to its high acclimation capability. It can inhabit waters with a wide range of temperatures and salinity and handle long-term periods of air exposure. We describe the transcriptome of L.

Gene discovery in the tropical scallop Nodipecten nodosus: construction and sequencing of a normalized cDNA library.

We report the construction and characterization of a normalized cDNA library from the digestive gland of the marine bivalve Nodipecten nodosus, a commercially valuable tropical scallop. A total of 288 clones were sequenced, and 250 unique sequences were obtained. The cDNA library showed a small sequence redundancy (2.

Assessment of toxicity of dissolved and microencapsulated biocides for control of the Golden Mussel Limnoperna fortunei.

Biological invasions currently pose major threats to ecosystems worldwide. Invasive bivalves such as the Golden Mussel Limnoperna fortunei can act as 'environmental engineers', altering biogeochemistry, reducing biodiversity, and literally changing the landscape of aquatic environments. The risk that this mussel will invade the Amazon basin is a great concern for environmental authorities, especially because no efficient control methods presently exist.