An invasion in progress – Sinanodonta woodiana (Lea, 1834) (Bivalvia: Unionidae) in Poland

Abstract

We summarise the current knowledge about the Polish population of the Chinese pond mussel. At least 53 locations of the Chinese pond mussel have been confirmed in Poland taking into consideration a literature survey and our own research data comprising new unreported sites. S. woodiana is mostly present in fish ponds (69.8%) but for the last few years it has been discovered in lowland rivers, canals and wetlands, too. Considering these population figures the current data about the distribution of S. woodiana seem to be underestimated. The spreading rate described in the literature and already available knowledge about S. woodiana's biology and its resistance to the environmental conditions indicate that the species should be consider as a really risky invasive species. We suggest that monitoring of S. woodiana presence and abundance should be conducted.

Distribution and potential impacts of non-native Chinese pond mussels Sinanodonta woodiana (Lea, 1834) in Bavaria, Germany

“…Our results suggest that many types of inland waters are potentially suitable for S. woodiana, which has already been shown by others (e.g. Benkő-Kiss et al 2013;Douda et al 2012;Popa 2007;Urbańska and Andrzejewski 2019;Urbańska et al 2021). S. woodiana is often characterised as a thermophilic species since this mussel originates from tropical and subtropical areas (Kondakov et al 2018) and has predominantly invaded warmer natural waters in the southern part of Europe (Lajtner and Crncan 2011) as well as artificially heated waters and fish ponds in the northern part (Kraszewski and Zdanowski 2007).…”

The Chinese pond mussel Sinanodonta woodiana demographically outperforms European native mussels

“…Our local interviews indicate that individuals from the study pond have already been transferred to nearby water bodies, and their filtering ability is highly appreciated. The propensity of people to acquire and translocate Sinanodonta mussels has been noted before 13 , 17 , 24 , 53 – 55 and is probably more important than previously appreciated.…”

“…While the populations of native mussels might have been augmented with glochidia attached to the stocking fishes, this was less likely in S. woodiana . The species was not recorded in the vicinity before 13 , and given the distance of over 500 km over which the founding individuals were transported, their local availability was unlikely. In any case, as the stocking fishes originated only from local sources, which did not include heated-water hatcheries, any S. woodiana glochidia would have also been from locally-adapted populations.…”

“…Although its overall density was higher at sites with a sandy than a muddy bottom, this difference was not significant. Sinanodonta woodiana can utilize a broad range of host-fish species 15 – 17 and survive in a broad range of water-body types 13 . Our study indicates that it is also a habitat generalist concerning bottom sediments and adds to the suit of the known tolerances of this species.…”

“…Sinanodonta woodiana has several preadaptations for a rapid and successful invasion. It is a habitat generalist, inhabiting ponds, reservoirs, lakes, irrigation channels and rivers 13 , although possibly with a preference for sandy bottom substrates 14 . It utilises an extensive host range 15 – 17 and has high growth and reproductive rates 17 – 19 .…”