Fauna and standing crop of freshwater mussels in Poyang Lake, China

Zhou

et al. 2019

Ecology and Evolution

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Poyang Lake plays a significant role in maintaining and replenishing the macrozoobenthos biodiversity in the middle Yangtze River. However, due to human activities and natural factors, the habitat of Poyang Lake has been seriously degraded, resulting in a decline in macrozoobenthos biodiversity. Here, we analyzed the effect of human activity and environmental elements change on the diversity of macrozoobenthos based on a systematic investigation of Poyang Lake Basin in 2016–2017. The current species richness, density, and biomass of macrozoobenthos were lower than those in the historical period. At the same time, the community structure of the macrozoobenthos assemblage exhibits significant temporal and spatial differences. In addition, the spatial turnover component was the main contribution to beta diversity, which indicated that a number of protected areas would be necessary to conserve the biodiversity of macrozoobenthos. Water depth, dissolved oxygen, water velocity, and chlorophyll‐a were significantly correlated with macrozoobenthos distributions and assemblage structure based on RDA. These results indicated that human activities have seriously destroyed the macrozoobenthos habitat and led to the decline in macrozoobenthos diversity. Therefore, habitat restoration and the conservation of macrozoobenthos have become urgent in Poyang Lake Basin, and an integrated management plan should be developed and effectively implemented.

Section: Effect Of Human Activity On the Diversity Of Macrozoobenthosmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…At the same time, the habitat of Poyang Lake has been seriously degraded due to the effects of changes in anthropogenic habitats, resulting in the decline of aquatic biodiversity Li, Zhang, Xia, & Gao, 2011;Xiong, Ouyang, & Wu, 2012;Zhang et al, 2013). Therefore, it is urgent to restore and protect the habitat and biodiversity of Poyang Lake.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Temporal and spatial changes in macrozoobenthos diversity in Poyang Lake Basin, China

Zhou

et al. 2019

Ecology and Evolution

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“…Many studies have shown that sand dredging changed aquatic habitats and decreased species richness by 30%–70% and the abundance and biomass of macrozoobenthos by 40%–95% (Johnson, Jin, Carreiro, & Jack, ; Li et al, ; Narin & Michel, ). Many sand‐dredging boats focused their extractions in the study area (Li et al, ), which changed substrate conditions and directly affected the assemblage structure of freshwater mussels (Xiong et al, ; Zhang et al, ). Moreover, due to the acceleration of urbanization and agriculture, industrial wastewater and domestic sewage have resulted in habitat deterioration and eutrophication, indirectly affecting the assemblage structure of freshwater mussels (Hu, Zhou, Wang, & Wei, ; Li et al, ; Wan & Jiang, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Historical data (1965–2013) were collected on the presence–absence of freshwater mussel species in the Xin River Basin from the literature (Tchang & Li, ; Wu et al, ; Xiong et al, ; Xu, ; Zhang et al, ; Table ). Historical sampling methods mainly qualitatively collected mussels by searching through the bottom by hand at the shore or in shallow waters (Zhang et al, ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…and (f) the Dongda River (section code DR; SW8-SW11), which had anthropogenic activities including water pollution and urban, and the substrates were sandstone, rock, and gravel. Historical data (1965Historical data ( -2013 were collected on the presence-absence of freshwater mussel species in the Xin River Basin from the literature (Tchang & Li, 1965;Wu et al, 1994;Xiong et al, 2013;Xu, 2013;Zhang et al, 2013; Table S1). Historical sampling methods mainly qualitatively collected mussels by searching through the bottom by hand at the shore or in shallow waters (Zhang et al, 2013).…”

Section: Study Sitesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Declining freshwater mussel diversity in the middle and lower reaches of the Xin River Basin: Threat and conservation

Sun

Wü

et al. 2019

Ecology and Evolution

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Freshwater mussels provide important functions and services for aquatic ecosystems, but populations of many species have been extirpated. Information on biodiversity plays an important role in the conservation and management of freshwater mussels. The Xin River Basin is a biodiversity hotspot for freshwater mussels in China, with more than 43 species known, but populations of which are decreasing. Here, we quantify the diversity of freshwater mussels in the middle and lower reaches of the Xin River Basin and study the correlation of habitat characteristics and freshwater mussel diversity. Compared to the historical period, the number of species, density, and biomass of freshwater mussels decreased 33%, 83%, and 82% in the current period, respectively. Fifty two percent of recorded species were empty shells, and 14 native freshwater mussels were not found in the study area. Four species are currently listed as vulnerable species using IUCN criteria and their global status. The assemblage structure of freshwater mussels exhibits significant spatial differences, and there was a correlation with substrate and physicochemical parameters. The main tributary of the Xin River with higher freshwater mussel diversity should be established as one large protected area because the nestedness component was the main pattern of beta diversity. These results indicated freshwater mussel diversity was declining rapidly, which can help focus conservation effort for freshwater mussel biodiversity.

Microsatellite analysis of genetic diversity and genetic structure of the Chinese freshwater mussel Solenaia carinata (Bivalvia: Unionidae)

Sun

Zhou

et al. 2017

Aquatic Conservation

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1. The freshwater mussels (Unionidae) in the Yangtze River basin of China are among the most diverse assemblages on Earth. Freshwater mussels provide valuable ecosystem services (e.g. natural water filtration) and economic value (shell, pearls, and food), but are experiencing global declines as a result of pollution, habitat alteration, and overharvest.2. Despite the diversity and value of freshwater mussels in the Yangtze River basin, relatively little is known about the biology of the many species endemic to the region. Solenaia carinata is an endemic and potentially imperilled freshwater mussel (Bivalvia: Unionidae) in China that is distributed in a single major tributary of the middle Yangtze; the Poyang Lake basin in Jiangxi Province.3. This study represents the first analyses of the genetic diversity and population genetic structure of S. carinata. Solenaia carinata specimens (n=64) were collected from three sites in large tributary rivers of Poyang Lake. 4. Using 19 polymorphic microsatellite markers, the results showed that S. carinata had a moderate level of genetic diversity (PIC ranged from 0.464 to 0.484), limited evidence of a recent genetic bottleneck, little genetic differentiation (F ST ranged from 0.021 to 0.045), high levels of gene flow (N m ranged from 3.675 to 33.227) and limited genetic structure among the three sampling locations. 5. Given that S. carinata inhabits a highly interconnected system of large rivers and lakes, the results of low differentiation and high gene flow among geographically proximate sampling locations (sites separated by between 8 and 20 km of water) are not surprising. The resultsindicate that specimens can be used and moved from anywhere across the distribution of S. carinata for the purposes of captive propogation and translocation.