Back to Search Start Over

Captive breeding of European freshwater mussels as a conservation tool : A review

Authors :
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Zooloxía, Xenética e Antropoloxía Física
Geist, Juergen
Thielen, Frankie
Lavictoire, Louise
Hoess, Rebecca
Altmueller, Reinhard
Baudrimont, Magalie
Blaize, Christine
Campos, Miquel
Caroll, Paul
Daill, Daniel
Degelmann, Wolfgang
Dettmer, Reiner
Denic, Marko
Duri, Pierrick
De Eyto, Elvira
Grunicke, Felix
Gumpinger, Clemens
Jakobsen, Per J.
Kaldma, Katrin
Klaas, Kunnar
Legeay, Alexia
Mageroy, Jon Hamner
Moorkens, Evelyn
Motte, Gregory
Nakamura, Keiko
Ondina Navarret, María Paz
Österling, Martin
Pichler-Scheder, Christian
Spisar, Ondrej
Reis, Joaquim
Schneider, Lea D.
Schwarzer, Arno
Selheim, Heidi
Soler, Joaquim
Taskinen, Jouni
Taylor, John
Wengström, Niklas
Zając, Tadeusz
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Zooloxía, Xenética e Antropoloxía Física
Geist, Juergen
Thielen, Frankie
Lavictoire, Louise
Hoess, Rebecca
Altmueller, Reinhard
Baudrimont, Magalie
Blaize, Christine
Campos, Miquel
Caroll, Paul
Daill, Daniel
Degelmann, Wolfgang
Dettmer, Reiner
Denic, Marko
Duri, Pierrick
De Eyto, Elvira
Grunicke, Felix
Gumpinger, Clemens
Jakobsen, Per J.
Kaldma, Katrin
Klaas, Kunnar
Legeay, Alexia
Mageroy, Jon Hamner
Moorkens, Evelyn
Motte, Gregory
Nakamura, Keiko
Ondina Navarret, María Paz
Österling, Martin
Pichler-Scheder, Christian
Spisar, Ondrej
Reis, Joaquim
Schneider, Lea D.
Schwarzer, Arno
Selheim, Heidi
Soler, Joaquim
Taskinen, Jouni
Taylor, John
Wengström, Niklas
Zając, Tadeusz
Publication Year :
2023

Abstract

Freshwater mussels are declining throughout their range. Their important ecological functions along with insufficient levels of natural recruitment have prompted captive breeding for population augmentation and questions about the usefulness and applicability of such measures. This article reviews the current state of captive breeding and rearing programmes for freshwater mussels in Europe. It considers the various species, strategies, and techniques of propagation, as well as the different levels of effort required according to rearing method, highlighting the key factors of success. Within the last 30 years, 46 breeding activities in 16 European countries have been reported, mainly of Margaritifera margaritifera and Unio crassus. Some facilities propagate species that are in a very critical situation, such as Pseudunio auricularius, Unio mancus, and Unio ravoisieri, or multiple species concurrently. In some streams, the number of released captive-bred mussels already exceeds the size of the remaining natural population. Rearing efforts range from highly intensive laboratory incubation to lower intensity methods using in-river mussel cages or silos. Most breeding efforts are funded by national and EU LIFE(+) grants, are well documented, and consider the genetic integrity of the propagated mussels. Limited long-term funding perspectives, the availability of experienced staff, water quality, and feeding/survival during early life stages are seen as the most important challenges. Successful captive breeding programmes need to be combined with restoration of the habitats into which the mussels are released. This work will benefit from an evidence-based approach, knowledge exchange among facilities, and an overall breeding strategy comprising multiple countries and conservation units.

Details

Database :
OAIster
Notes :
English
Publication Type :
Electronic Resource
Accession number :
edsoai.on1428033605
Document Type :
Electronic Resource