1. The freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera has been suffering major population declines in Europe. This endangered species is a host specialist and exclusively requires salmonid species (Salmo trutta and Salmo salar) to complete its life cycle. In theory, obligatory biotic interactions should deserve special conservation attention, because the loss or massive decline of fish hosts may elicit the extirpation of their affiliated species. While many threats disturbing M. margaritifera are similarly affecting salmonids, climate change is particularly alarming, with the potential to significantly change the fish-mussel dynamics.2. To evaluate the importance of including the occurrence of fish hosts for predicting the distribution of M. margaritifera in Europe, three datasets were used to build species distribution models (SDMs) with a maximum entropy (MaxEnt) approach: (1) environmental variables (ENV); (2) probability of fish hosts occurrence (FH); and (3) environmental variables and probability of fish hosts occurrence (ENV + FH). We identified the environmental variables that better explain M. margaritifera distribution and modelled its current and future distribution under a suite of climate change scenarios. Furthermore, projections were used to evaluate the adequacy of current networks of European protected areas in covering the suitable habitats for M. margaritifera. 3. Results showed that incorporating data about fish hosts into M. margaritifera SDMs avoided the overprediction of geographical projections and, to a minor extent, improved model performance (area under the curve: ENV = 0.851; FH = 0.848; ENV + FH = 0.867). The distribution range of M. margaritifera in Europe | 843 da SILVa et aL.

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Introduction: The growing prevalence of obesity is currently considered the most important nutritional disorder. It is characterized, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) as a worldwide epidemic in developing and developed countries. In an associated form, there is an increasing prevalence of dyslipidaemia. Aiming to improve the current situation and prevent the progression of the epidemic, the American Academy of Pediatrics recently reinforced the need for cholesterol screening in overweight children older than two years. Objective: To determine overweight and lipid profi le in children aged between six and nine years. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study with children from Vitoria, ES. For nutritional classifi cation the Z-score > + 1 SD body mass index-forage (according to WHO / 2007) was used; for the lipid profi le the Atherosclerosis Prevention Guidelines in Childhood were used. Anthropometric measurements (weight, height, waist circumference and triceps skinfold thickness) followed the standard techniques described by WHO. Data were organized and analysed using SPSS, version 8.5 and calculated the absolute, relative and mean (SD) frequencies and the association between overweight, lipid profi le and other variables is adopted as signifi cant when p < 0.05. Results: The sample comprised a total of 511 children of both sexes (46.7% male), with a mean age of 101.6 ± 11.1 months. Overweight was found in 197 (38.5%) children: overweight in 71 (13.9%) and obesity in 126 (24.6%). Total cholesterol was elevated in 167 (32.7%) as were high LDL-C (136-27%). High triglycerides were found in 21 participants (4.1%). Signifi cant association was found between waist circumference and high levels of triglycerides (p = 0.019) and HDL-C (p = 0.033). Conclusion: Excess weight of the sample investigated is considered high and its health effects are important, with an increased total cholesterol greater than 32%. The high levels of HDL-C are protective factors for coronary heart disease, although the lipid profi le had been changed.

Europe has a long history of human pressure on freshwater ecosystems. As pressure continues to grow and new threats emerge, there is an urgent need for conservation of freshwater biodiversity and its ecosystem services. However, whilst some taxonomic groups, mainly vertebrates, have received a disproportionate amount of attention and funds, other groups remain largely off the public and scientific radar. Freshwater mussels (Bivalvia, Unionida) are an alarming example of this conservation bias and here we point out six conceptual areas that need immediate and long-term attention: knowledge, threats, socioeconomics, conservation, governance and education. The proposed roadmap aims to advance research, policy and education by identifying the most pressing priorities for the short-and long-term conservation of freshwater mussels across Europe.

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