| 1. |
- Arvidsson, Björn L, 1952-, et al.
(författare)
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Recruitment of the threatened mussel Margaritifera margaritifera in relation to mussel population size, mussel density and host density
- 2012
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Ingår i: Aquatic conservation. - Malden, MA : John Wiley & Sons. - 1052-7613 .- 1099-0755. ; 22, s. 526-532
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Anthropogenic, abiotic factors are considered main causes of recruitment failure of unionid mussels, including the freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera). In this large-scale investigation, we instead examined the relationship between biotic factors and mussel recruitment.Juvenile mussel density was positively related to both mussel population size and density of which the last appeared to be a more accurate measure of recruitment.Host fish density of young-of-the-year and older brown trout (Salmo trutta) were positively related to recruitment. Moreover, the mean density of both age classes of fish, when grouped into density classes was positively related to juvenile mussel density, an effect that decreased at trout densities above 10 trout 100 m-2.There was a higher relative importance of mussel population size and density than trout density to recruitment.To increase recruitment of juvenile mussels, managers may apply measures that increase mussel density, and trout density up to about 10 trout 100 m-2 in connection to mussel beds. Mussel beds may also be managed and one possible measure within small and sparse mussel populations may be to concentrate the remaining mussels to areas where trout density is high. Likewise, young-of-the-year trout may also be moved to areas of high mussel density, as young trout individuals are relatively resident during their first year. This may increase mussel larval infection rates and mussel recruitment.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Calles, Olle, 1974-, et al.
(författare)
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Fish Migration River Monitoring Plan
- 2014
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Fish have problems passing the Afsluitdijk Dam that separates the Wadden Sea from Lake IJsselmeer. To re-establish the connectivity and thereby allow fish to pass there is an initiative to build a fishway, the Fish Migration River (FMR), at the Konwerderzand sluice complex. This report proposes a monitoring program to evaluate the functionality of the FMR, but also to monitor passage possibilities through the existing sluices. The goals of the monitoring plan are to estimate 1) The overall passage past the Afsluitdijk dam to and from Lake IJsselmeer, 2) The attraction efficiency, 3) The passage efficiency, and 4) The use of the FMR as habitat and for acclimatization for the transition into freshwater.We present an overview of previous and ongoing monitoring in the area to establish the current state of knowledge. The report also includes a presentation of available and suitable methods for a future monitoring program considering the broad spectra of target fish species, and their abundances. The proposed program includes a description of study design and available techniques and cost-estimates of the monitoring program.The proposed program will target ten species: European eel (aal), flounder (bot), three-spined stickleback (dreidoornige stekelbaars), twait shad (fint), North Sea houting (houting), river lamprey (rieverprik), smelt (spiering), Atlantic salmon (zalm), brown trout (forel) and sea lamprey (zeeprik). The monitoring program includes plans for how to capture, tag and track the study fish using the most suitable tagging techniques. Furthermore, the most optimal sites for installation of automatic data detection stations are identified.The total cost for the proposed project is 3.5 M€ and covers both investments in equipment and costs for personnel. However, if costs for investments in techniques such as RFId-stations and fish counters are excluded, the total cost is reduced to 1 M€ for a program running two years before and four years after the completion of the FMR. The program is considered sufficient to evaluate the FMR at Kornwerederzand from the most important perspectives: the overall passage efficiency and the use of the FMR as habitat.It should be noted that this report is the first step towards a full-scale monitoring program, giving insight into possible methods, study design and associated costs. The next important step will be to develop the program in more detail and to start the initial phase of the monitoring project. We predict that such activities will identify the need for, and the relevance of, a more extensive monitoring program to study the effects of the FMR on a population level and on a large geographical scale.
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
- Ferreira-Rodríguez, Noé, et al.
(författare)
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Freshwater Mussels as Sentinels for Safe Drinking Water Supply in Europe
- 2023
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Ingår i: ACS - ES & T Water. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 2690-0637. ; 3:12, s. 3730-3735
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In the context of the European Union (EU) Drinking Water Directive, freshwater mussels (Order Unionoida: Bivalvia) can help us face the challenges of safe drinking water provisions for all citizens in the EU. Specifically, the implementation of high frequency noninvasive (HFNI) valvometers allows the early detection of eventual pollution events in drinking water treatment plants. Currently real-time behavioral analysis is deployed in a number of EU countries, and we foresee a bright future as new technological advances are developed concerning HFNI valvometers.
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| 6. |
- Filipsson, Karl, et al.
(författare)
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Do predator odours and warmer winters affect growth of salmonid embryos?
- 2023
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Ingår i: Ecology of Freshwater Fish. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0906-6691 .- 1600-0633. ; :1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Conditions early in ontogeny can have considerable effects later on in life. Many salmonids spawn during the autumn, and temperature during subsequent embryogenesis may have far-reaching effects on life-history traits, especially when considering ongoing climate change. Even biotic conditions during embryogenesis, such as predation threat, may affect later life stages. Here, we examined how predator odours and increased temperatures affect embryonic growth and development of a fish (brown trout Salmo trutta). We found that embryos had lower body mass and greater yolk volume close to hatching when subjected to predator odours. Trout embryos incubated at temperatures representing natural winter conditions were larger than embryos incubated at higher temperatures, although the latter hatched earlier. Fry sizes at emergence did not differ between treatments, perhaps because of compensatory growth during spring. This study shows that predator presence can have similar effects on embryonic growth of salmonids as warming winters, with possible impact later in ontogeny.
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| 7. |
- Filipsson, Karl
(författare)
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Early life stages of brown trout - Anti-predator responses under warming winters
- 2022
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- During winter, juvenile salmonids in boreal streams are vulnerable to predation, mainly from mammals and birds. Encounters with terrestrial predators can be reduced or avoided if fish limit activity to the darker periods of the day or to periods with surface ice. As piscivorous fish also are active in winter, they may be a threat under low light conditions when juvenile salmonids do not avoid terrestrial predators. Abiotic conditions, especially temperature, have major effects on fish in winter. High temperatures alter ice conditions in winter and lead to increased metabolism and physiological performance of fish. Water temperature also influences embryogenesis, with repercussions for fish throughout their life. Considering the rapid warming of winters in boreal regions, insights into how salmonids are adapted to winter conditions can aid in efforts to predict and mitigate anthropogenic effects that alter the winter environment.In this doctoral thesis, I explore anti-predator responses of brown trout (Salmo trutta) during its early life stages. I have examined the effects of predators, temperature, light and ice on the behaviour and physiology of juvenile trout during winter. In addition, I have studied how temperature and predators affect embryogenesis and the behaviour of fry after hatching. Anti-predator responses were evident in both the behaviour and physiology of juveniles and during embryogenesis. Trout exhibited diel behavioural changes when piscivorous fish were present, and were more vigilant towards piscivorous fish in darkness. Furthermore, temperature affected trout behaviour and physiology, with higher activity levels and lower mRNA expression of stress-related genes at higher temperatures. Trout also behaved differently depending on the temperature they experienced as eggs, as increased egg-incubation temperatures resulted in trout being more active and prone to risk taking.
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| 8. |
- Filipsson, Karl, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of temperature and a piscivorous fish on diel winter behaviour of juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta)
- 2019
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Ingår i: Freshwater Biology. - : Wiley. - 0046-5070 .- 1365-2427. ; 64:1+, s. 1797-1805
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Low winter temperatures constrain predator-detection and escape capabilities, making poikilotherms vulnerable to predation. Investigations of temperature effects on predator-prey interactions can therefore be of special importance in light of ongoing climate change, where winter temperatures are predicted to increase substantially at northern latitudes. Behavioral responses of stream fishes to terrestrial predators in winter are well recognised, whereas responses to predatory fish have received little attention. Using stream flumes, we examined the anti-predator behaviour of one-summer-old brown trout (Salmo trutta) at 3 and 8 degrees C in the presence and absence of burbot (Lota lota) under night, dawn, and daylight conditions. Burbot was placed upstream of the trout, separated by net screens. Lower temperature and the presence of burbot reduced trout activity. Light increased trout shelter use, and trout sheltered more in the presence of burbot. An interaction between the presence of burbot and light conditions affected trout position in the flumes: at night and dawn, trout positioned themselves further downstream when burbot were present than when absent, whereas during the day, trout maintained the same position in the presence or absence of the predator. Our results suggest that piscivorous fish, in addition to terrestrial predators, shape the behaviour of prey fishes in streams during winter. We show how predator avoidance results in altered diel patterns of juvenile brown trout under winter conditions, and that temperature has additional effects on trout behaviour.
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| 9. |
- Filipsson, Karl, et al.
(författare)
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Encystment of parasitic freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) larvae coincides with increased metabolic rate and haematocrit in juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta)
- 2017
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Ingår i: Parasitology Research. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0932-0113 .- 1432-1955. ; 116, s. 1353-1360
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- © 2017 The Author(s)Gill parasites on fish are likely to negatively influence their host by inhibiting respiration, oxygen transport capacity and overall fitness. The glochidia larvae of the endangered freshwater pearl mussel (FPM, Margaritifera margaritifera (Linnaeus, 1758)) are obligate parasites on the gills of juvenile salmonid fish. We investigated the effects of FPM glochidia encystment on the metabolism and haematology of brown trout (Salmo trutta Linnaeus, 1758). Specifically, we measured whole-animal oxygen uptake rates at rest and following an exhaustive exercise protocol using intermittent flow-through respirometry, as well as haematocrit, in infested and uninfested trout. Glochidia encystment significantly affected whole-animal metabolic rate, as infested trout exhibited higher standard and maximum metabolic rates. Furthermore, glochidia-infested trout also had elevated levels of haematocrit. The combination of an increased metabolism and haematocrit in infested fish indicates that glochidia encystment has a physiological effect on the trout, perhaps as a compensatory response to the potential respiratory stress caused by the glochidia. When relating glochidia load to metabolism and haematocrit, fish with low numbers of encysted glochidia were the ones with particularly elevated metabolism and haematocrit. Standard metabolic rate decreased with substantial glochidia loads towards levels similar to those of uninfested fish. This suggests that initial effects visible at low levels of encystment may be countered by additional physiological effects at high loads, e.g. potential changes in energy utilization, and also that high numbers of glochidia may restrict oxygen uptake by the gills.
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| 10. |
- Filipsson, Karl, 1991-
(författare)
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From behaviour to genes: anti-predator responses of brown trout (Salmo trutta) under winter conditions
- 2020
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Temperature has major effects on the performance of poikilotherms. In encounters with predators, low winter temperatures constrain predator detection and escape capabilities in prey fishes. Most studies of the anti-predator responses of fish under winter conditions focus on endothermic terrestrial predators, whereas effects of piscivorous fish are generally overlooked. The studies presented in this thesis explore behavioural and physiological responses of juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta) at winter temperatures of 3 and 8 °C in the presence and absence of a winter-active piscivorous fish (burbot, Lota lota). In Paper I, I report behavioural responses of trout in relation to the time of day. At the lower temperature and in the presence of burbot, trout reduced their activity. Trout used overhead shelter the most during the day and in the presence of burbot. Trout also spatially avoided burbot at night and at dawn but not during the day. In Paper II, I examined plasma cortisol and mRNA expression of stress-related genes. A redundancy analysis showed that both temperature and the presence of burbot explained a significant amount of the observed variation. Trout had higher cortisol levels when exposed to the burbot. Analyses of individual gene expressions revealed that trout had higher mRNA expression at 3 than at 8 °C for 11 of the 16 examined genes. Only one gene, RBP1, was expressed to a higher degree in the presence of burbot, but there were also interaction effects between temperature and burbot presence for two genes coding for serotonin and glucocorticoid receptors. My studies show that piscivorous fish shape anti-predator responses of juvenile brown trout, both behaviourally and at the gene level, under winter conditions. The observed thermal effects on mRNA levels underscore the importance of temperature in fish stress responses, with implications for stream salmonids in a warmer climate.
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| 11. |
- Filipsson, Karl, et al.
(författare)
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Heavy loads of parasitic freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera L.) larvae impair foraging, activity and dominance performance in juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta L.)
- 2018
-
Ingår i: Ecology of Freshwater Fish. - : Wiley. - 0906-6691 .- 1600-0633. ; 27:1, s. 70-77
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- © 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S.The life cycle of the endangered freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) includes a parasitic larval phase (glochidia) on the gills of a salmonid host. Glochidia encystment has been shown to affect both swimming ability and prey capture success of brown trout (Salmo trutta), which suggests possible fitness consequences for host fish. To further investigate the relationship between glochidia encystment and behavioural parameters in brown trout, pairs (n = 14) of wild-caught trout (infested vs. uninfested) were allowed to drift feed in large stream aquaria and foraging success, activity, agonistic behaviour and fish coloration were observed. No differences were found between infested and uninfested fish except for in coloration, where infested fish were significantly darker than uninfested fish. Glochidia load per fish varied from one to several hundred glochidia, however, and high loads had significant effects on foraging, activity and behaviour. Trout with high glochidia loads captured less prey, were less active and showed more subordinate behaviour than did fish with lower loads. Heavy glochidia loads therefore may negatively influence host fitness due to reduced competitive ability. These findings have implications not only for management of mussel populations in the streams, but also for captive breeding programmes which perhaps should avoid high infestation rates. Thus, low levels of infestation on host fish which do not affect trout behaviour but maintains mussel populations may be optimal in these cases.
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| 12. |
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| 13. |
- Filipsson, Karl, et al.
(författare)
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Temperature and predator-mediated regulation of plasma cortisol and brain gene expression in juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta)
- 2020
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Zoology. - : BioMed Central. - 1742-9994. ; 17:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Temperature affects many aspects of performance in poikilotherms, including how prey respond when encountering predators. Studies of anti-predator responses in fish mainly have focused on behaviour, whereas physiological responses regulated through the hypothalamic-pituitary-interrenal axis have received little attention. We examined plasma cortisol and mRNA levels of stress-related genes in juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta) at 3 and 8 degrees C in the presence and absence of a piscivorous fish (burbot,Lota lota). Results A redundancy analysis revealed that both water temperature and the presence of the predator explained a significant amount of the observed variation in cortisol and mRNA levels (11.4 and 2.8%, respectively). Trout had higher cortisol levels in the presence than in the absence of the predator. Analyses of individual gene expressions revealed that trout had significantly higher mRNA levels for 11 of the 16 examined genes at 3 than at 8 degrees C, and for one gene (retinol-binding protein 1), mRNA levels were higher in the presence than in the absence of the predator. Moreover, we found interaction effects between temperature and predator presence for two genes that code for serotonin and glucocorticoid receptors. Conclusions Our results suggest that piscivorous fish elicit primary stress responses in juvenile salmonids and that some of these responses may be temperature dependent. In addition, this study emphasizes the strong temperature dependence of primary stress responses in poikilotherms, with possible implications for a warming climate.
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| 14. |
- Filipsson, Karl, et al.
(författare)
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Temperature during embryonic development in brown trout influences juvenile behaviour in encounters with predators
- 2024
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Ingår i: Journal of Zoology. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0952-8369 .- 1469-7998. ; 322:3, s. 241-250
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Variation in thermal conditions during embryogenesis can have far-reaching impact throughout ontogeny and may give rise to behavioural variation. Many animals, such as salmonids, exhibit behavioural trade-offs related to foraging and predator avoidance. How embryonic temperature affects these behaviours has remained unexplored. Not only abiotic conditions during embryogenesis but also biotic factors such as predator conditioning may affect fish behaviour, especially anti-predator responses. We examined how elevated temperatures and predator odours throughout embryogenesis affect the behaviour of 28-37 mm young-of-the-year brown trout (Salmo trutta) in encounters with predators, namely Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar; 20 cm) and burbot (Lota lota; 40 cm). Juvenile brown trout were more active and aggressive if they were incubated in warmer water as eggs than if they were incubated in colder water, and trout remained inactive longer when encountering predators if they were cold incubated. Brown trout were less active and aggressive when an Atlantic salmon was present than when a burbot or no predator was present. Behavioural responses did not differ between trout that had been subjected to water with versus without predator odours during embryogenesis, possibly because brown trout were not subjected to conspecific alarm cues during egg incubation. This study shows that thermal conditions during embryogenesis can influence fish behaviour early in life and thus contribute to behavioural variation, with potential effects on life history. Considering the rapid warming of northern regions, elevated embryonic temperatures may contribute substantially to variation in salmonid behaviour in the near future. Variation in environmental conditions during embryogenesis of salmonids can have far-reaching impact throughout ontogeny and may give rise to variation in anti-predator behaviour. In a laboratory experiment, we showed that elevated temperatures throughout embryogenesis increased the activity and aggression of 28-37 mm brown trout fry and reduced the time to first movement in encounters with predators (burbot and Atlantic salmon). Predator odour during embryogenesis did not affect brown trout fry behaviour.image
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| 15. |
- Filipsson, Karl, et al.
(författare)
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Winter Behavior of Juvenile Brown Trout in a Changing Climate : How Do Light and Ice Cover Affect Encounters with Instream Predators?
- 2023
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Ingår i: Fishes. - 2410-3888. ; 8:10
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Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- During winter, stream fishes are vulnerable to semi-aquatic predators like mammals and birds and reduce encounters by being active in darkness or under surface ice. Less is known about the behavior of fishes towards instream piscivorous fishes. Here, we examined how surface ice and light affected the anti-predator behavior of juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta Linnaeus, 1758) in relation to piscivorous burbot (Lota lota Linnaeus, 1758) and northern pike (Esox lucius Linnaeus, 1758) at 4 degrees C in experimental flumes. Trout had lower foraging and swimming activity and spent more time sheltering when predators were present than when absent. In daylight, trout's swimming activity was not affected by predators, whereas in darkness trout were less active when predators were present. Trout consumed more drifting prey during the day when ice was present, and they positioned themselves further upstream when under ice cover, regardless of light conditions. Trout stayed closer to conspecifics under ice, but only in the presence of pike. Piscivorous fishes thus constitute an essential part of the predatory landscape of juvenile trout in winter, and thus loss of ice cover caused by climate warming will likely affect trout's interactions with predators.
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| 16. |
- Geist, Juergen, et al.
(författare)
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Captive breeding of European freshwater mussels as a conservation tool : A review
- 2023
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Ingår i: Aquatic conservation. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 1052-7613 .- 1099-0755. ; 33:11, s. 1321-1359
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)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.
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| 17. |
- Gomes-Dos-Santos, A., et al.
(författare)
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The Crown Pearl : a draft genome assembly of the European freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera (Linnaeus, 1758)
- 2021
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Ingår i: DNA research. - : Oxford University Press. - 1340-2838 .- 1756-1663. ; 28:2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Since historical times, the inherent human fascination with pearls turned the freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera (Linnaeus, 1758) into a highly valuable cultural and economic resource. Although pearl harvesting in M. margaritifera is nowadays residual, other human threats have aggravated the species conservation status, especially in Europe. This mussel presents a myriad of rare biological features, e.g. high longevity coupled with low senescence and Doubly Uniparental Inheritance of mitochondrial DNA, for which the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly known. Here, the first draft genome assembly of M. margaritifera was produced using a combination of Illumina Paired-end and Mate-pair approaches. The genome assembly was 2.4 Gb long, possessing 105,185 scaffolds and a scaffold N50 length of 288,726 bp. The ab initio gene prediction allowed the identification of 35,119 protein-coding genes. This genome represents an essential resource for studying this species' unique biological and evolutionary features and ultimately will help to develop new tools to promote its conservation.
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| 18. |
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| 19. |
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| 20. |
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| 21. |
- Gustafsson, Stina, 1985-
(författare)
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Habitat compensation in nature-like fishways : Effects on benthos and fish
- 2017
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The construction of nature-like fishways has become an increasingly common measure to restore longitudinal connectivity in streams and rivers affected by hydroelectric development. These fishways also have the potential to function as habitat compensation measures when running waters have been degraded or lost. The habitat potential has however often been overlooked, and therefore the aim of this thesis was to examine the potential of nature-like fishways for habitat compensation, with special focus on the effect of added habitat heterogeneity.This thesis examines the effects of habitat diversity on the macroinvertebrate family composition and functional organization in a nature-like, biocanal-type fishway. The biocanal contained four habitat types; riffle, pool, braided channel and floodplain. The effects of habitat diversity and large woody debris on brown trout habitat choice was also investigated in the biocanal. In addition, and prior to introduction of the threatened freshwater pearl mussel into the biocanal, the suitability of different brown trout strains as hosts for the mussel was examined.The results show that the habitat heterogeneity in the biocanal contributed to an increased macroinvertebrate family diversity. The functional organization of the macroinvertebrate community suggests that it was a heterotrophic system and more functionally similar to the main river than to the small streams that it was created to resemble. Brown trout habitat choice studies showed that high densities of large woody debris increase the probability of fish remaining at the site of release. Testing of different brown trout strains as host for the freshwater pearl mussel revealed that both wild and hatchery-reared brown trout strains were suitable hosts. In summary, the results indicate that it is possible to create a fish passage with added value through its high habitat function and that nature-like fishways can be designed to reach multiple species restoration goals.
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| 22. |
- Harbicht, Andrew, et al.
(författare)
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Environmental and anthropogenic correlates of migratory speeds among Atlantic salmon smolts
- 2021
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Ingår i: Rivers Research and Applications. - : Wiley. - 1535-1459 .- 1535-1467. ; 37:3, s. 358-372
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Dams, weirs, and hydropower facilities are often cited as migratory barriers which impart significant reductions in fitness among migratory fish species. Even where upstream and downstream passage options are available, barrier passage can still often result in energetic or physical costs which compound delays or cause mortality. Past studies have identified variables associated with such fitness reductions, though few examine their effects in the context of the whole river scale. To this end, we assessed the migratory rates and downstream passage of radio-tagged Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) smolts through nine river sections (including two reservoir sections and one dammed section) along a 20 km stretch of river. Migration stoppages were not found to be elevated in reservoir or dammed sections, while migration rates were best described by physical river properties (width), biological traits (smolt total length), and seasonal variables (diel period) rather than anthropogenic factors. These results suggest the negative effect of reservoirs may primarily be due to their influence on river width and may be negligible when width is largely unaffected by an impoundment. Similarly, spilling water during fish migrations as a mitigative measure appears to make delays negligible. These conditions and actions may not completely marginalize the effect of dams, however, as a negative trend was still observed resulting from passage effects at the dam.
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| 23. |
- Lafage, Denis, et al.
(författare)
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Local and landscape drivers of aquatic-to-terrestrial subsidies in riparian ecosystems : A worldwide meta-analysis
- 2019
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Ingår i: Ecosphere. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 2150-8925 .- 2150-8925. ; 10:4, s. 1-12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cross-boundary fluxes of organisms and matter, termed “subsidies,” are now recognized to be reciprocal and of roughly equal importance for both aquatic and terrestrial systems, even if terrestrial input to aquatic ecosystems has received most attention. The magnitude of aquatic-to-terrestrial subsidies is well documented, but the drivers behind these subsidies and their utilization by terrestrial consumers are characteristically local-scale studies, limiting the inferences that can be drawn for broader geographic scales. We therefore built and analyzed a database of stable isotope data extracted from 21 studies worldwide, to identify both landscape-scale (catchment) and local-scale (100-m riparian zone) variables that may affect the diet of terrestrial predators in riparian ecosystems. Our meta-analysis revealed a greater magnitude of aquatic-to-terrestrial subsidies (>50%) than previously reported, albeit with large geographic and inter-annual variations. Moreover, we demonstrated a large effect of landscape-scale factors on aquatic-to-terrestrial subsidies, particularly anthropogenic land use and tree cover. Local human population was the only relevant factor at the local scale. We also found that studies on landscape-scale and anthropogenic land use effects on aquatic-to-terrestrial subsidies are strongly under-represented in the ecological literature, which limits the general inferences that can currently be drawn about landscape effects. We suggest that landscape-scale studies could improve our understanding of how land use and environmental change might influence future patterns of biodiversity and ecosystem function.
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| 24. |
- Lopes-Lima, M., et al.
(författare)
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Integrative phylogenetic, phylogeographic and morphological characterisation of the Unio crassus species complex reveals cryptic diversity with important conservation implications
- 2024
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Ingår i: Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. - : Academic Press Inc.. - 1055-7903 .- 1095-9513. ; 195
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The global decline of freshwater mussels and their crucial ecological services highlight the need to understand their phylogeny, phylogeography and patterns of genetic diversity to guide conservation efforts. Such knowledge is urgently needed for Unio crassus, a highly imperilled species originally widespread throughout Europe and southwest Asia. Recent studies have resurrected several species from synonymy based on mitochondrial data, revealing U. crassus to be a complex of cryptic species. To address long-standing taxonomic uncertainties hindering effective conservation, we integrate morphometric, phylogenetic, and phylogeographic analyses to examine species diversity within the U. crassus complex across its entire range. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (815 specimens from 182 populations) and, for selected specimens, whole mitogenome sequences and Anchored Hybrid Enrichment (AHE) data on ∼ 600 nuclear loci. Mito-nuclear discordance was detected, consistent with mitochondrial DNA gene flow between some species during the Pliocene and Pleistocene. Fossil-calibrated phylogenies based on AHE data support a Mediterranean origin for the U. crassus complex in the Early Miocene. The results of our integrative approach support 12 species in the group: the previously recognised Unio bruguierianus, Unio carneus, Unio crassus, Unio damascensis, Unio ionicus, Unio sesirmensis, and Unio tumidiformis, and the reinstatement of five nominal taxa: Unio desectus stat. rev., Unio gontierii stat. rev., Unio mardinensis stat. rev., Unio nanus stat. rev., and Unio vicarius stat. rev. Morphometric analyses of shell contours reveal important morphospace overlaps among these species, highlighting cryptic, but geographically structured, diversity. The distribution, taxonomy, phylogeography, and conservation of each species are succinctly described.
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| 25. |
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| 26. |
- Nylin, Sören, et al.
(författare)
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Embracing Colonizations : A New Paradigm for Species Association Dynamics
- 2018
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Ingår i: Trends in Ecology and Evolution. - Elsevier : Elsevier BV. - 0169-5347 .- 1872-8383. ; 33:1, s. 4-14
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Parasite-host and insect-plant research have divergent traditions despite the fact that most phytophagous insects live parasitically on their host plants. In parasitology it is a traditional assumption that parasites are typically highly specialized; cospeciation between parasites and hosts is a frequently expressed default expectation. Insect-plant theory has been more concerned with host shifts than with cospeciation, and more with hierarchies among hosts than with extreme specialization. We suggest that the divergent assumptions in the respective fields have hidden a fundamental similarity with an important role for potential as well as actual hosts, and hence for host colonizations via ecological fitting. A common research program is proposed which better prepares us for the challenges from introduced species and global change. Parasites are typically assumed to be highly specialized on their hosts and well adapted to them, yet they frequently colonize new hosts - including humans, causing EIDs.This parasite paradox has caused a growing unease with the traditional assumptions in parasitology, which differ markedly from those in the field of insect-plant studies.We report the results of a workshop where parasitologists and insect-plant researchers met to explore the possibility that the two systems may be more similar than the divergent research traditions suggest, so that a common research program can be developed to better prepare us for future challenges.
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| 27. |
- Piccolo, John, 1964-, et al.
(författare)
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Future rivers, dams and ecocentrism.
- 2019
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Ingår i: The Ecological Citizen. - 2515-1967. ; 2:2, s. 173-177
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this article the authors look at the subject of ecocentrism and future rivers, focusing mainly on the effects of hydroelectric production. Although rivers also have been dammed for irrigation and flood control in addition to hydroelectricity, the production of ‘carbon-free’ energy has recently been touted as a major solution to climate change. The trade-off between clean energy and the negative impacts of hydropower offers much food for thought for ecocentric theory – how much biodiversity loss are we justified in allowing now, for example, to avert complete ecosystem collapse in the future if we continue to rely on fossil fuel? The authors intend this article to be a starting point for discussion of rivers and ecocentrism in general, and they conclude with some specific suggestions regarding rivers and hydropower.
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| 28. |
- Rock, Sebastian L., et al.
(författare)
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Effects of parasitic freshwater mussels on their host fishes : a review
- 2022
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Ingår i: Parasitology. - : Cambridge University Press. - 0031-1820 .- 1469-8161. ; 149:14, s. 1958-1975
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Freshwater mussels in the order Unionida are highly adapted to parasitize fish for the primary purpose of dispersal. The parasitic larval stage affixes itself to the gills or fins of the host where it becomes encysted in the tissue, eventually excysting to develop into a free-living adult. Research on the parasitic interactions between unionids and their host fishes has garnered attention recently due to the increase in worldwide preservation efforts surrounding this highly endangered and ecologically significant order. With the exception of heavy infestation events, these mussels cause minor effects to their hosts, typically only observable effect in combination with other stressors. Moreover, the range of effect intensities on the host varies greatly with the species involved in the interaction, an effect that may arise from different evolutionary strategies between long- and short-infesting mussels; a distinction not typically made in conservation practices. Lower growth and reduced osmotic potential in infested hosts are commonly observed and correlated to infestation load. These effects are typically also associated with increases in metabolic rate and behaviour indicative of stress. Host fish seem to compensate for this through a combination of rapid wound healing in the parasitized areas and higher ventilation rates. The findings are heavily biased towards Margaritifera margaritifera, a unique mussel not well suited for cross-species generalizations. Furthermore, the small body of molecular and genetic studies should be expanded as many conclusions are drawn from studies on the ultimate effects of glochidiosis rather than proximate studies on the underlying mechanisms.
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| 29. |
- Schneider, Lea Dominique, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of mussel and host fish density on reproduction potential of a threatened unionoid mussel: prioritization of conservation locations in management trade-offs
- 2019
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Ingår i: Biodiversity and Conservation. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0960-3115 .- 1572-9710. ; 28:2, s. 259-273
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Management decisions in conservation of threatened species require trading off social needs against biodiversity values, including the prioritization of conservation locations, i.e. where conservation efforts should take place. To improve conservation decisions for the thick-shelled river mussel, Unio crassus, a highly threatened temporary parasite on fish, we performed a field study on how mussel and host fish density (European bullhead, Cottus gobio, and common minnow, Phoxinus phoxinus) affect reproduction potential of the mussel at different sites along a river. We assumed that the proportions of gravid mussels would be higher at high mussel density, and result in enhanced glochidia (mussel larvae) encapsulation rates on fish. We also expected the highest glochidia density'a proxy for the potential number of recruits per stream area, assessed by multiplying glochidia encapsulation rates on fish by fish density, to occur at high mussel density sites. Such river sites, producing many offspring and conveying important conservation values, may thus be prioritized. However, contrary to our assumptions, higher glochidia density and higher proportions of gravid mussels occurred at lower density mussel sites. We also found that P. phoxinus had higher glochidia encapsulation rates than C. gobio, possibly related to species-specific behavioural and life-history traits. Even so, glochidia density was similar for both fish species, reflecting comparable ecological functions in hosts. The results of this study suggest that mussel and host fish densities should be considered along with glochidia density in conservation prioritization and management trade-offs.
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| 30. |
- Schneider, Lea Dominique, et al.
(författare)
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Evaluating temperature- and host-dependent reproduction in the parasitic freshwater mussel Unio crassus
- 2018
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Ingår i: Hydrobiologia. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0018-8158 .- 1573-5117. ; 810:1, s. 283-293
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Adaptation to temperature regimes and host presence may enhance fitness in parasites. In an experimental study, we evaluated the timing of glochidia release by Unio crassus subjected to three spring water temperature regimes in the presence and absence of the host fish Cottus gobio. The timing of glochidia release was delayed at (i) constantly low temperatures (<10°C), in contrast to earlier and pronounced releases at (ii) natural temperature increases that level off at intermediate temperatures (10–15°C), and (iii) higher-than-normal temperatures (10–20°C). Mussels from treatment (i) that had not released glochidia during the experiment did so soon after being moved to the temperature in (ii), indicating a temperature threshold for glochidia release. Neither host fish presence nor the combined effect of temperature and host fish presence significantly affected the timing of glochidia release. The treatment with natural spring water temperatures indicated possible fitness benefits for U. crassus through combined effects of high intensities of glochidia releases and high survival of released glochidia. The furthered understanding of climate change effects on mussel and host phenology in seasonal environments, potentially inducing temporal mismatches of glochidia release to host availability, is key to mussel conservation.
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| 31. |
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| 32. |
- Schneider, Lea Dominique, et al.
(författare)
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Local adaptation studies and conservation: Parasite-host interactions between the endangered freshwater mussel Unio crassus and its host fish
- 2017
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Ingår i: Aquatic Conservation-Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems. - : Wiley. - 1052-7613 .- 1099-0755. ; 27:6, s. 1261-1269
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Parasite-host interactions can involve strong reciprocal selection pressure, and may lead to locally adapted specializations. The highly threatened unionoid mussels are temporary parasites on fish, but local adaptation has not yet been investigated for many species. Patterns of local adaptation of one of Europe's most threatened unionoids, the thick-shelled river mussel (Unio crassus) were investigated. Eurasian minnows (Phoxinus phoxinus) from two rivers (separate drainage areas) were cross-infested in the laboratory with sympatric and allopatric mussel larvae, while bullheads (Cottus gobio), inhabiting only one of the rivers, were infested with sympatric or allopatric mussel larvae. Larval encystment, juvenile mussel excystment and survival were measured. For one river, but not the other, juvenile excystment from P. phoxinus was highest when infested with sympatric mussels. The opposite pattern was found for C. gobio in this river, where juvenile excystment and post-parasitic juvenile survival from allopatric C. gobio were highest. The results thus cannot confirm local adaptation of U. crassus to P. phoxinus in the study rivers, as excystment was not consistently higher in all sympatric mussel-host combinations, whereas there were potential maladaptive signs of U. crassus in relation to C. gobio. There was no loss of encysted larvae 3 days after infestation until juvenile excystment. Most juveniles were excysted between 17 and 29 days after infestation, and the numbers of excysted juveniles increased with fish size. The results have implications for parasite-host ecology and conservation management with regard to unionoid propagation and re-introduction. This includes the need to (1) test suitability and adaptation patterns between U. crassus and multiple host fish species, (2) evaluate the suitability of certain unionoids and host fish strains after more than 3 days, and (3) determine whether large fish produce more juvenile mussels than smaller fish.
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| 33. |
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| 34. |
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| 35. |
- Shafer, Aaron B. A., et al.
(författare)
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Genomics and the challenging translation into conservation practice
- 2015
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Ingår i: Trends in Ecology & Evolution. - : Elsevier. - 0169-5347 .- 1872-8383. ; 30:2, s. 78-87
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The global loss of biodiversity continues at an alarming rate. Genomic approaches have been suggested as a promising tool for conservation practice as scaling up to genome-wide data can improve traditional conservation genetic inferences and provide qualitatively novel insights. However, the generation of genomic data and subsequent analyses and interpretations remain challenging and largely confined to academic research in ecology and evolution. This generates a gap between basic research and applicable solutions for conservation managers faced with multifaceted problems. Before the real-world conservation potential of genomic research can be realized, we suggest that current infrastructures need to be modified, methods must mature, analytical pipelines need to be developed, and successful case studies must be disseminated to practitioners.
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| 36. |
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| 37. |
- Shry, Samuel, 1991-, et al.
(författare)
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Challenges in downstream dam passage and the effect of dam removal on Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) smolt migrations
- 2024
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Ingår i: Journal of Fish Biology. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0022-1112 .- 1095-8649.
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Migration is critical for life-cycle completion in diadromous fish species. River connectivity is vital in facilitating these large-scale movement events, but the extent of present-day river fragmentation can interfere with these migrations. Fish passage solutions (FPSs) are commonly implemented with the aim of improving river connectivity. In our study, we investigated the performance of two types of FPSs, spill regimes and complete dam removal, on Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) smolt migrations. We used acoustic telemetry to monitor migration behavior and passage success of 120 wild smolts released in three different groups/sites: one group with two dams to pass to reach the river mouth, a second group with one dam to pass, and a control group without any barriers to pass (upstream of a recently removed hydroelectric dam). Smolt passage probabilities were similar for the two studied dams (87% and 86%) but showed variation in path choice, delay times, and loss rates. Passage success was influenced by several factors, such as body size, diel period, and water temperature, but not flow. Cumulative passage success to the river mouth was 61%, with most individuals being lost within lentic river stretches, either in the forebays of hydroelectric power stations or in naturally wide river stretches. Within the recently rehabilitated river sections (post dam removal), passage speeds were significantly faster than all other sections of the river (post-rehabilitation x = 56.1 km/day) with significantly faster speeds compared to pre-rehabilitation (pre-x = 28.0 km/day). Our findings provide valuable information on the benefits of dam removal and highlight the need for further rehabilitation measures in upriver reaches where barriers still affect downstream passage.
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| 38. |
- Sousa, Ronaldo, et al.
(författare)
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The role of anthropogenic habitats in freshwater mussel conservation
- 2021
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Ingår i: Global Change Biology. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 1354-1013 .- 1365-2486. ; 27, s. 2298-2314
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Anthropogenic freshwater habitats may provide undervalued prospects for long-term conservation as part of species conservation planning. This fundamental, but overlooked, issue requires attention considering the pace that humans have been altering natural freshwater ecosystems and the accelerated levels of biodiversity decline in recent decades. We compiled 709 records of freshwater mussels (Bivalvia, Unionida) inhabiting a broad variety of anthropogenic habitat types (from small ponds to large reservoirs and canals) and reviewed their importance as refuges for this faunal group. Most records came from Europe and North America, with a clear dominance of canals and reservoirs. The dataset covered 228 species, including 34 threatened species on the IUCN Red List. We discuss the conservation importance and provide guidance on how these anthropogenic habitats could be managed to provide optimal conservation value to freshwater mussels. This review also shows that some of these habitats may function as ecological traps owing to conflicting management practices or because they act as a sink for some populations. Therefore, anthropogenic habitats should not be seen as a panacea to resolve conservation problems. More information is necessary to better understand the trade-offs between human use and the conservation of freshwater mussels (and other biota) within anthropogenic habitats, given the low number of quantitative studies and the strong biogeographic knowledge bias that persists.
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| 39. |
- Watz, Johan, 1977-, et al.
(författare)
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Atlantic salmon in regulated rivers: Understanding river management through the ecosystem services lens
- 2022
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Ingår i: Fish and Fisheries. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 1467-2960 .- 1467-2979. ; 23:2, s. 478-491
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Known as the “king of fishes”, the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar, Salmonidae) is an iconic freshwater species whose contribution to human wellbeing has long been recognized, as have widespread declines in its abundance, partly due to river regulation. To understand how salmon conservation has been addressed within the ecosystem services (ES) framework, we synthesized the peer-reviewed literature on ES provided by salmon in regulated rivers. We developed a search string to capture allusions to provisioning, regulating, supporting and cultural ES and assessed the results to identify knowledge gaps. The effects of hydropower on fisheries catches and on modelled populations were shown is several publications. Overall, few studies focused explicitly on ES from salmon and hydropower; this is surprising given the considerable body of literature on salmon in regulated rivers. Wild salmon as a food source and other provisioning services are less important today than historically. Because predators such as salmon are important for facilitating biodiversity by cycling nutrients and controlling food webs, there is a scope of work for future assessments of these regulating and supporting services. Few papers explicitly addressed cultural ES, despite the salmon’s longstanding iconic status; this is a knowledge gap for future ES assessments in relation to hydropower. The influence of ES assessments for policy makers is growing through the Intergovernmental Panel for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and the post-2020 biodiversity strategy. Explicitly addressing ES poses an opportunity for river managers to raise awareness of aquatic conservation efforts and well-informed decision-making for sustaining ES.
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| 40. |
- Watz, Johan, 1977-, et al.
(författare)
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Social behaviour of European grayling before and after flow peaks in restored and unrestored habitats
- 2020
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Ingår i: Rivers Research and Applications. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 1535-1459 .- 1535-1467. ; 36:8, s. 1646-1655-
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cost‐effective implementation of fish‐friendly hydropower flow operation and habitat restoration measures require an understanding of their effects on fitness‐related behaviours of stream fish. Here, we investigated how changes in flow and bottom structure influence the social behaviour of European grayling, using large experimental flumes (700 L s−1), with and without added boulders (i.e., restored and unrestored habitat). Grayling increased their distance to nearest neighbour at the start of flow ramping up and after a flow peak compared to stable base flow. At the start of ramping up the flow, grayling made less position changes (movements >1 m) than at stable base flow and after a flow peak. In the unrestored habitat, the proportion of time grayling spent actively swimming was lower before a flow peak than it was both at the start of ramping up the flow and after the peak, an effect not found in the restored habitat. In addition, we compared two static flows, and habitat restoration mediated their effect on distance to nearest neighbour. Grayling in the restored habitat were positioned closer to each other in the low (~10 cm s−1) than in the intermediate static flow (~40 cm s−1), whereas in the unrestored habitat, grayling showed the opposite pattern. Moreover, grayling reduced their number of position changes in the intermediate static flow, which was reflected by a reduction in active swimming. Stomach analysis after the trials revealed that foraging success was higher in variable than in the stable flow treatment. These results show that flow magnitude, flow changes and instream structure play important roles in the behaviour of stream fishes.
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| 41. |
- Wengström, Niklas, 1969, et al.
(författare)
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Do individual Activity Patterns of Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) alter the Exposure to Parasitic Freshwater Pearl Mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) Larvae?
- 2016
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Ingår i: Ethology. - : Wiley. - 0179-1613 .- 1439-0310. ; 122:9, s. 769-778
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The hypothesis that interindividual differences in the activity of brown trout alter the exposure to parasitic freshwater pearl mussel glochidia was tested in a Swedish stream. Wild yearling brown trout (N=103) were caught, individually tagged for identification and scored for open-field activity during standardized laboratory tests in June. Fifty gravid freshwater pearl mussels were relocated to the stream, where after the trout were released back into the stream. The fish were recaptured in October (N=35), checked for glochidia encystment (infested individuals: n=6) and re-scored for open-field activity traits. Swimming velocity during the test was higher in fish infected with glochidia, suggesting that high activity could increase their exposure to glochidia. Potentially, as metabolism rate and ventilation rate typically increase with activity, elevated activity may lead to an increased likelihood of glochidia passing over the gills. This novel finding suggests that glochidia infestation is non-random and that the behaviour of the host fish can influence the likelihood of glochidia infestation.
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| 42. |
- Zieritz, Alexandra, et al.
(författare)
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A global synthesis of ecosystem services provided and disrupted by freshwater bivalve molluscs
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Biological Reviews. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 1464-7931 .- 1469-185X. ; 97, s. 1967-1998
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Identification of ecosystem services, i.e. the contributions that ecosystems make to human well-being, has proven instrumental in galvanising public and political support for safeguarding biodiversity and its benefits to people. Here we synthesise the global evidence on ecosystem services provided and disrupted by freshwater bivalves, a heterogenous group of >1200 species, including some of the most threatened (in Unionida) and invasive (e.g. Dreissena polymorpha) taxa globally. Our systematic literature review resulted in a data set of 904 records from 69 countries relating to 24 classes of provisioning (N = 189), cultural (N = 491) and regulating (N = 224) services following the Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services (CICES). Prominent ecosystem services included (i) the provisioning of food, materials and medicinal products, (ii) knowledge acquisition (e.g. on water quality, past environments and historical societies), ornamental and other cultural contributions, and (iii) the filtration, sequestration, storage and/or transformation of biological and physico-chemical water properties. About 9% of records provided evidence for the disruption rather than provision of ecosystem services. Synergies and trade-offs of ecosystem services were observed. For instance, water filtration by freshwater bivalves can be beneficial for the cultural service 'biomonitoring', while negatively or positively affecting food consumption or human recreation. Our evidence base spanned a total of 91 genera and 191 species, dominated by Unionida (55% of records, 76% of species), Veneroida (21 and 9%, respectively; mainly Corbicula spp.) and Myoida (20 and 4%, respectively; mainly Dreissena spp.). About one third of records, predominantly from Europe and the Americas, related to species that were non-native to the country of study. The majority of records originated from Asia (35%), with available evidence for 23 CICES classes, as well as Europe (29%) and North America (23%), where research was largely focused on 'biomonitoring'. Whilst the earliest record (from 1949) originated from North America, since 2000, annual output of records has increased rapidly in Asia and Europe. Future research should focus on filling gaps in knowledge in lesser-studied regions, including Africa and South America, and should look to provide a quantitative valuation of the socio-economic costs and benefits of ecosystem services shaped by freshwater bivalves.
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| 43. |
- Österling, Martin, 1970-
(författare)
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Biotiska och abiotiska faktorers betydelse för flodpärlmusslans fortplantning och överlevnad i Ljungans biflöden
- 2010
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Stormusslorna är en av de organismgrupper i sötvatten som är allra mest hotad. En av Sveriges stormusslor är flodpärlmusslan, vilken minskar i antal inom hela sitt utbredningsområde och som sedan maj 2010 är klassad som starkt hotad i den Internationella naturvårdsunionens rödlista. Målet med föreliggande projekt var att undersöka vad som begränsar flodpärlmusslans reproduktion och överlevnad. I anslutning till undersökningarna gjordes dessutom en film som berättar om projektet. Projektet är ett samarbete mellan Karlstads universitet och Fortums nordiska miljöfond och utfördes under åren 2007 och 2008 i 26 biflöden till Ljungan i Västernorrland. Flodpärlmusslan reproducerar sig på sommaren, då musslan släpper sina glochidielarver i vattnet. Larverna måste träffa på öring eller lax, där larverna kapslas in på fiskens gälar för att sedan leva där som parasit under 10-12 månader. När de små musslorna släppt från värdfiskens gälar lever de nedgrävda i sedimentet under några år. Från 10-20 års ålder räknas musslan som vuxen och kan delta i reproduktionen. I många musselvattendrag saknas juvenila musslor. Eftersom musslan har en så komplicerad livscykel är det flera livscykelstadier som bör undersökas för att ta reda på när rekryteringen av juvenila musslor begränsas. I detta projekt undersöktes följande livscykelstadier i 26 vattendrag i Ljungans avrinningsområde: gravida musslor, glochidieinfektion på öring och juvenila musslor. För att mäta glochidielarvernas infektion på öringen utan att avliva öringen utvecklades en ny metod att uppskatta infektionsgraden m.h.a. fotografering av larverna på öringens gälar. Dessutom undersöktes öringtätheter och förändring i musseltäthet mellan 1990-1991 och 2005-2006. Slutligen undersöktes hur abiotiska faktorer såsom turbiditet, sedimentation, sedimentvattenkemi och vattentemperaturer påverkade musslans livscykelstadier. Resultaten visade att musseltätheten ökade generellt i vattendrag med rekrytering av juvenila musslor, men minskade i vattendrag utan rekrytering från 1990-1991 till 2005-2006. En minskning i musseltäthet sker alltså idag i vattendrag utan rekrytering och har troligtvis också skett under längre tid, vilket sannolikt resulterat i den lägre musseltäthet som finns idag i vattendrag utan rekrytering i Ljungans biflöden. Därmed är situationen allvarlig, där glesare populationer kan resultera i lägre reproduktion och förändra musslornas viktiga funktioner som filtrerare och paraplyart i vattendragen. På sikt är risken stor att arten försvinner helt från dessa vattendrag om man inte finner problemen och åtgärdar dem. Gravida musslor verkar inte vara det livscykelstadium som begränsar rekryteringen, eftersom ungefär hälften av musslorna var gravida, både i vattendrag med och utan rekrytering. Däremot var musslorna gravida tidigare i vattendrag utan rekrytering än i vattendrag med rekrytering. Gravida musslor var också kortare än musslor som inte var gravida i vattendrag utan rekrytering men inte i vattendrag med rekrytering. Proportionen gravida musslor ökade också som en funktion av musseltätheten. Sammantaget visar detta att larvproduktionen kanske inte fungerar helt optimalt i vattendrag utan rekrytering. Den nya metoden att mäta larver på öringens gälar genom att fotografera gälarna som utvecklades inom projektet fungerade bra. Ett akvarieexperiment visade att tillväxt eller överlevnad hos öring inte försämrades på grund av fotometoden. Detta visar alltså på att man kan undersöka infektionen av mussellarver på öring utan att öringen tar skada. Med hjälp av fotometoden kunde infektionsstadiet av mussellarver på öring av olika ålder mätas. Infektionen av mussellarver var högre i vattendrag med rekrytering än i vattendrag utan rekrytering på årsungar och på äldre öring. För infektionen på årsungarna berodde detta främst på en högre täthet av årsungar i vattendrag med rekrytering än i vattendrag utan rekrytering. Detta tyder på att årsungarnas täthet är negativt påverkad av någon faktor, vilket i sin tur leder till färre antal larver hos årsungarna i vattendrag utan rekrytering. Skillnaden i infektionen på äldre öring var orsakad av en högre musseltäthet i vattendrag med rekrytering än i vattendrag utan rekrytering. Den minskande musseltätheten i vattendrag utan rekrytering resulterar troligtvis i sin tur i en minskad produktion av glochidielarver. Sammantaget verkar det alltså som att en lägre täthet av öringens årsungar och en låg musseltäthet bidrar till lägre antal glochidielarver i vattendrag utan rekrytering, vilket sannolikt resulterar i en lägre rekrytering av juvenila musslor. Nästa tidiga livscykelstadium, juvenila musslor, var även det påverkat av musseltäthet och årsungarnas täthet. Detta tyder på att både infektionsstadium och juvenila musslor är negativt påverkade. Tätheten av juvenila musslor var negativt relaterad till turbiditet. Hög turbiditet hänger ofta ihop med hög sedimentation, vilket kan begränsa juvenila musslors överlevnad genom låga syrehalter och höga ammoniumhalter i sedimentet. Den sämre vattenomsättningen som uppmättes i vattendrag utan rekrytering kan vara ett resultat av en hög sedimentation och därmed resultera i dåliga förhållanden i sedimenten med en låg överlevnad av juvenila musslor som följd. Dessutom kan högre vattentemperaturer, vilket uppmättes på sommaren i vattendrag utan rekrytering, försämra tillväxt och överlevnad hos juvenila musslor. Turbiditet visade sig ha högst förklaringsgrad för frånvaron av juvenila musslor, följt av vattentemperaturen, medan täthet av årsungar av öring, musseltäthet och täthet av äldre öring, i nämnd ordning, var viktiga för rekryteringen av juvenila musslor. Detta pekar på att en minskning av sedimenttillförsel till vattendragen skulle kunna vända trenden med avsaknad av musselrekrytering. Minskad sedimentation skulle också kunna förbättra öringens reproduktion och därmed även förbättra rekryteringen av musslan, om en högre sedimenttransport också påverkar öringäggens utveckling negativt. Brukande av marken bredvid vattendrag kan vara en viktig orsak till hög turbiditet och sedimentation och kan också orsaka höga vattentemperaturer på grund av ökad solinstrålning. För överlevnaden av juvenila flodpärlmusslor är det också viktigt att naturliga flödestoppar inte förhindras, utan tillåts byta ut vattnet i sedimentet. En kombination av lågt vattenflöde och avsaknad av en beväxt kantzon på sommaren kan troligtvis bidra till dåliga förhållanden i bottenvattnet och för höga vattentemperaturer, vilket kan påverka både musslor och öring negativt. För att uppnå bättre förhållanden för flodpärlmusslan bör brukandet av marken utföras så att silt och sand inte släpps ut i vattendragen. Genom att inte störa marken närmast vattendragen genom dikning och skogsavverkning kan en ökad sedimentation förhindras. Om man lämnar intakta kantzoner närmast vattendragen kan dessa även stabilisera vattendragen mot erosion. Dessutom kan ökad beskuggning av vegetationen i en intakt kantzon förhindra alltför höga vattentemperaturer sommartid. Samtidigt bör regleringen av dammar uppströms musselpopulationer vara sådan att högflödestoppar, vilka bidrar till att vatten spolas genom sedimenten, inte begränsas. Om marken bredvid bäckarna och vattenregleringen sköts på rätt sätt kan det bidra till att rekryteringen av flodpärlmusslor återupptas. Detta bör dock ske inom en snar framtid eftersom effekter av restaurering av vattendrag ofta tar lång tid och det också tar lång tid för flodpärlmusslan att återkolonisera när tätheterna har reducerats mycket.
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| 44. |
- Österling, Martin, 1970-, et al.
(författare)
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Demonstrating the practical impact of studies on biotic interactions and adaptation of a threatened unionoid mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) to its host fish (Salmo trutta)
- 2020
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Ingår i: Aquatic conservation. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 1052-7613 .- 1099-0755. ; 30:9, s. 1803-1808
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- To understand the ecological factors behind the decline of functionally important threatened species with complex life cycles, many different life-cycle stages need to be investigated. The highly threatened unionoid freshwater mussels, with their complex life cycle, including a parasitic stage on host fish, often have a large influence on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. The overall aim of the present article is to summarize and discuss the impact of two articles published inAquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems(AQC) on biotic interactions and adaptation of a threatened unionoid mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) to its host fish (Salmo trutta). The twoAQCpublications described research on the influence of population size and density of mussels and host fish, and host-parasite interactions between mussels and their host fish, on the recruitment of juvenile mussels. The results from these publications filled gaps in knowledge and resulted in recommendations and incentives for conservation. The results and method development have been used in practical conservation work with threatened mussel species and have been implemented and cited in management handbooks. The outcome of the publications has been implemented in large conservation and restoration projects, and in several recent scientific publications. Specifically, the results from one publication showed that ecological parameters such as mussel and host fish density and population size influenced recruitment of the threatened freshwater pearl mussel. The results from the second publication showed that understanding host-parasite interactions is important for comparing the suitability of host fish strains, and that host fish strains differ in their suitability for mussel infestations. In combination, the articles show that integrating ecological parameters of threatened mussels and their host fish with host-parasite interaction experiments can be an important influence on conservation recommendations, adaptive management and national management programmes for threatened species.
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| 45. |
- Österling, Martin E, 1970-, et al.
(författare)
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Habitat degradation and the decline of the threatened mussel Margaritifera maragaritifera: influence of turbidity and sedimentation on mussel an its host
- 2010
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Ingår i: Journal of Applied Ecology. - : Wiley. - 0021-8901 .- 1365-2664. ; 47:4, s. 759-768
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- 1. Habitat degradation is a major reason for species extinctions. For parasite–host interactions, the decline of a parasite may not only be related to the parasite’s tolerance to habitat degradation but also indirectly through the host’s tolerance to the same disturbance.2. Our objective was to explore the cause of population declines of the freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera by relating the age distribution, density and growth of the mussels with turbidity, sedimentation rates and density of the mussel’s host, trout Salmo trutta, in 26 Swedish streams.3. An analysis of the age structure of nine mussel populations showed that maximum age differed by 60 years, with five populations having low proportions of juvenile mussels. Adult mussel density was higher at sites where juvenile mussels occurred than at sites lacking juvenile mussels.4. Growth of adult mussels during the past 10 years was lower in the five streams lacking recent recruitment than in the four streams with recent recruitment, indicating that some environmental factor may be negatively impacting these populations.5. A comparison among 24 populations indicated that turbidity and sedimentation may be responsible for recruitment failure in 58% of the populations. The age of the youngest mussel was positively related to turbidity and sedimentation, and juvenile mussel density was negatively related to turbidity and sedimentation. In contrast, trout density was not related to recruitment of mussels or sedimentation, but was positively related to turbidity in all streams, both with and without recent mussel recruitment.6. Synthesis and applications. Recruitment failure of M. margaritifera appears to be related to its own vulnerability to turbidity and sedimentation rather than to its host’s response to this type of habitat degradation. The results from our study suggest that managers might be able to evaluate the potential viability of mussel populations by measuring stream turbidity. Restoration activities to improve the mussels’ environment should focus on reducing fine material transport into streams.
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| 46. |
- Österling, Martin, 1970-
(författare)
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Ecology of freshwater mussels in disturbed environments
- 2006
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The number of species extinctions is increasing at an alarming rate. Long-lived freshwater mussels of the order Unionoida, which include a parasitic stage on a host fish, are highly threatened. Habitat degradation by turbidity and sedimentation is thought to be one major reason for their decline. The objective of this thesis was to examine recruitment patterns and identify the causes of the lack of recruitment in the threatened unionoid freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera). In addition, I investigated the effects of turbidity on non-endangered dreissenid mussels, where turbidity was manipulated through use of bioturbating mayflies.In a survey of 107 Swedish streams, mussel population size and trout density were both positively correlated to recruitment probability of M. margaritifera. A more in-depth study of the age-structure of nine populations revealed that four of these populations showed no signs of recruitment over the last ten years. Within-stream variation in recruitment was high as both mussels and trout had patchy distribution, and may be important for population regulation. Moreover, examination of different life stages revealed no differences in the gravid mussel stage or the stage when mussels infect salmonid fish. Instead, differences were observed for the juvenile, benthic stage, presumably related to differences in turbidity and sedimentation. High turbidity may affect filter-feeding efficiency of mussels and high sedimentation may reduce survival by clogging sediments, thereby altering, for example, oxygen and food conditions. In the study of the effects of turbidity, bioturbating mayflies increased turbidity and filter-feeding dreissenid mussels reduced turbidity. Mussel growth both decreased and increased with increasing turbidity, depending on sediment type.Turbidity and sedimentation often impact entire stream systems, and a holistic, catchment-based management strategy may be needed to reduce the effects of sedimentation on freshwater pearl mussels. The effects of restoration take a long time and must start soon if recruitment of mussels is to be re-established. Restoration may also be more urgent in some streams than in others, as the maximum age of M. margaritifera populations in my study differed by as much as 60 years. As mussel and trout densities seem to be important for recruitment success, one conservation method may be to concentrate mussels into sites where trout density is high.
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| 47. |
- Österling, Martin, 1970-, et al.
(författare)
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Impact of origin and condition of host fish (Salmo trutta) on parasitic larvae of Margaritifera margaritifera
- 2013
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Ingår i: Aquatic conservation. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 1052-7613 .- 1099-0755. ; 23:4, s. 564-570
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Encystment abundance differed between the brown trout strains shortly after encapsulation. Encystment abundance then decreased at different rates and resulted in a changed relationship in encystment abundance between the brown trout strains when the experiment was terminated. One of the allopatric brown trout strains had higher encystment abundance than the other brown trout strains.The larvae grew at different rates, and the allopatric brown trout strain with the highest encystment abundance had the largest larvae at the end of the experiment. There was a significant positive relationship between the mean condition factor and shell length of the brown trout strains.The experiment showed that the potential numbers of juvenile mussels may be restricted at the parasitic life-stage on sympatric brown trout strains. Innate differences in energy resources and immune defence between brown trout strains may be important for parasitic growth, because the condition factor of brown trout strains may be positively related to energy resources for the larvae, and negatively related to host fish immune defence.The present experiment showed that it may be important to investigate and manage unionid mussels' parasitic larval stage on host fish. Infestation experiments, like the one presented here, may inform managers if the parasitic stage is functioning properly. They can also evaluate host fish strains used for introductions in streams where natural fish strains have disappeared, but mussels persist. Such experiments have applications in breeding programmes for mussels, as this is an increasing management measure in threatened mussel populations.
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| 48. |
- Österling, Martin, 1970-, et al.
(författare)
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Relationship of biotic and abiotic factors to recruitment patterns in Margaritifera margaritifera
- 2008
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Ingår i: Biological Conservation. - : Elsevier. - 0006-3207 .- 1873-2917. ; 141:5, s. 1365-1370
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We investigated relationships of biotic and abiotic factors to recruitment patterns of the endangered freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) in 10 Swedish streams. We found that the maximum proportion of gravid mussels did not differ between streams with and without recent recruitment. Moreover, the mean glochidial load on trout (Salmo trutta), which was positively related to adult mussel density, did not differ significantly between these stream types. Thus, the larval stages of the freshwater pearl mussel were not related to recruitment failure. Instead, recruitment is probably hindered at the next stage in the life history of the mussels, the benthic stage, and may be related to sedimentation as turbidity was four times greater in streams lacking recent recruitment than in streams with recent recruitment. Furthermore, we found that juvenile mussel density was positively related to the number of glochidial infections per stream area in streams with ongoing recruitment, indicating that successful recruitment in these streams may depend on both mussel and trout density. Future research should thus examine biotic interactions between mussels and trout as well as the effects of sedimentation on benthic-living mussels.
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| 49. |
- Österling, Martin, 1970-
(författare)
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Sedimentation affects emergence rate of host fish fry in unionoid mussel streams
- 2019
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Ingår i: Animal Conservation. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 1367-9430 .- 1469-1795. ; 22:5, s. 444-451
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Free-living, sympatric sedentary life stages of hosts and parasites are often adapted to similar environmental conditions. When the environment where these life stages occur is disturbed, both species can decline, causing strong negative effects on the parasitic species. For the highly threatened unionoid mussels with their larval parasitic life stage on fish, habitat degradation may simultaneously affect the conditions for the sedentary host fish eggs and the juvenile mussels in the sediment. This study provides novel information on the effect of sedimentation on the emergence rate of yolk sac fry, and its relation to mussel recruitment in two drainage basins, and is exemplified by the brown trout Salmo trutta, host fish for the threatened freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera. The results imply that turbidity and sedimentation can reduce the survival of trout eggs and yolk sac fry emergence rate regardless of trout strain and drainage basin. The results further suggest that low yolk sac fry emergence rates reduce the potential for mussel infestation and recruitment. The results indicate a year round negative effect of sedimentation, having strong and combined direct and indirect effects on juvenile mussel recruitment. Conservation measures that reduce anthropogenic sediment transportation into streams are a key factor for the conservation of mussels and their host fish.
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| 50. |
- Österling, Martin, 1970-
(författare)
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Test and application of a non-destructive photo-method investigating the parasitic stage of the threatened mussel Margaritifera margaritifera on its host fish E. Salmo trutta
- 2011
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Ingår i: Biological Conservation. - : Elsevier BV. - 0006-3207 .- 1873-2917. ; 144:12, s. 2984-2990
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The objective was to test the application of a novel, non-destructive photo-method estimating the larval encystment of one of the highly threatened unionid mussels, the freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) on the gills of its host fish, brown trout (Salmo trutta). There were significant correlations between the encystment intensity based on microscope counts and using the new photo-method for both young-of-the-year and older brown trout just after the encystment in October 2007 and just before larval release from the host fish in June 2008. The mean encystment intensity based on the two methods did not differ from each other for the two age classes of trout when based on comparisons including all individuals. An aquaria experiment showed that there were no differences in survival or growth between fish subjected to the treatments: photo-method and individual marking, photo-method and a control. When applied to encystment in single streams, there were significant correlations between the mean encystment intensity in each stream based on the methods for both trout age classes. Therefore, it may be possible to get reliable estimation of the encystment rates without injuring the mussel or the host fish, which may also be used in restoration and cultivation work. Furthermore, the larvae of M. margaritifera are among the smallest of all the worldwide-distributed, threatened unionid mussel species. The photomethod may therefore also be used for other mussel species with larger larvae, as they are more easily recognized on photos. Therefore, it may now be possible to investigate every life stage of unionid species without using harmful methods at all.
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