Review of the globally invasive freshwater mussels in the genus Sinanodonta Modell, 1945

Abstract

In this review, we synthesize the current knowledge of the biology, ecology, and impact of Sinanodonta freshwater mussels (Bivalvia, Unionidae), native to East Asia, that have successfully invaded Europe, Central America, North Africa, and several Asian regions. The main introduction pathways of Sinanodonta were reconstructed based on DNA sequence data and distribution records. We show that invasive lineages of Sinanodonta belong to three species, namely, S. woodiana s. str. (“temperate invasive” lineage), S. pacifica (“tropical invasive” lineage), and S. lauta. Their generalist fish-dispersed larvae, short life span, high fecundity, use by humans for multiple purposes, and ability to establish populations in anthropogenically disturbed conditions were identified as crucial traits driving their invasions. Information on the consequences is scarcer, but Sinanodonta can impact native species through larval parasitism, host fish/food competition, and parasite transmission. In addition, ecosystem effects through their filtration—biodeposition—excretion activity and the occurrence of massive die-offs were detected. Ecosystem services and disservices have not yet been quantified, even at local scales, and management methods in the invasive range are understudied. A better understanding of Sinanodonta ecology, impacts, and management options is urgently needed to make informed decisions and set realistic and impactful restoration goals.

Environmental niche modelling of the Chinese pond mussel invasion in Europe under climate change scenarios

“…Unevenness of distribution of S. woodiana records in Eastern Europe illustrated in the Figure 1 reflects its actual distribution there. Recent publications and our own extensive field work on freshwater bodies across European Russia and Belarus confirm only six populations in the region (Douda et al, 2024;Kondakov et al, 2020; this study).…”

“…Freshwater mussels of the genus Sinanodonta (Bivalvia, Unionidae) are one of the most successful invaders among bivalves along with the Asian clam Corbicula fluminea (Mueller, 1774) and the zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas 1771). The genus comprises invasive lineages belonging to three species: S. woodiana (Lea, 1834), S. pacifica (Heude, 1878), and S. lauta (Martens, 1877) (Douda et al, 2024). Among these, the Chinese pond mussel S. woodiana (also called the "temperate invasive" lineage (Bolotov et al, 2016)), is the most widespread.…”

Identification of microsatellite markers for the invasive freshwater mussel Sinanodonta lauta (E. von Martens, 1877) (Bivalvia: Unionida)

“…Freshwater bivalve mussel Sinanodonta lauta (E. von Martens, 1877) is one of four members of the genus recorded from outside its native range. Sinanodonta lauta is native to Japan, South Korea, the Russian Far East and northeastern China (Douda et al, 2024). In recent decades, invasive populations of S. lauta have been discovered in the Enisey and Ob' River basins in Siberia, and in the Volga River basin in European Russia (Bespalaya et al, 2018;Kondakov et al, 2020).…”

“…The mitochondrial COI-based phylogeny shows a rather high haplotype diversity of the species with clusters in different parts of its native range (Douda et al, 2024). Interestingly, haplotypes from the invasive populations do not match known haplotypes from the native range, raising the question about the source of invasion.…”

Reproduction in the tropical invasive freshwater mussel Sinanodonta pacifica (Unionidae), at different elevations in West Java, Indonesia

“…Sinanodonta woodiana represents a complex of cryptic species, including a tropical invasive lineage in Indonesia and Malaysia. This lineage was recently attributed to S. pacifica Heude, 1878 (Douda et al, 2024), and was probably introduced to Indonesia in 1968 when fish harbouring mussel glochidia were accidentally introduced into a fish breeding pond in West Java Province (Djajasasmita, 1982). Since this event this mussel has spread rapidly throughout Indonesia, with transportation of seed fish for aquaculture likely to have facilitated this spread.…”