Age structure and growth patterns of the endangered freshwater mussel Unio crassus Philipsson, 1788 under different environmental conditions

Bujas, Niko; Lajtner, Jasna; Ivanković, Dušica; Kiralj, Zoran; Trgovčić, Krešimira; Dragun, Zrinka; Uvanović, Hana; Peharda Uljević, Melita (2024) Age structure and growth patterns of the endangered freshwater mussel Unio crassus Philipsson, 1788 under different environmental conditions. Aquatic Sciences - Research Across Boundaries, 86 . ISSN 1015-1621

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Abstract

Understanding the age structure and growth patterns of freshwater bivalve species is crucial for their conservation, and these data are still lacking for many species and locations. The main objective of this study was to gain insight into the age structure and growth patterns of the endangered mussel Unio crassus at the unpolluted and polluted sites on the Mrežnica River (Croatia), as well as construct the first-ever chronology for this species. Bivalve sampling was carried out in July 2020. The age and growth dynamics were determined by analysing internal growth lines in acetate peel replicas of shell cross sections. The length range of shells from the unpolluted station was 4.5–5.6 cm, with an estimated age range of 10 to 29 years, whereas shell length at the polluted site was 5.2–6.1 cm, with an estimated age range of 10 to 22 years. Our results indicate that industrial pollution may influence life strategies in U. crassus populations, with mussels growing faster and living shorter at polluted site. Compared to other parts of Europe, the estimated ages obtained in our study were the most similar to those in central Europe. According to growth curves, mussels grow the fastest during their first 10 years, after which their growth significantly slows down. Growth chronologies were constructed by measuring growth increments in acetate peels of shell cross-section, and some correlations between shell growth and environmental parameters have been observed, indicating the potential for further sclerochronology research on this species.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Bivalve; Lifespan; Unionidae; Growth chronology; Sclerochronology; Human impact
Subjects:	NATURAL SCIENCES > Biology NATURAL SCIENCES > Biology > Zoology NATURAL SCIENCES > Biology > Ecology NATURAL SCIENCES > Biology > General Biology NATURAL SCIENCES > Interdisciplinary Natural Sciences > Environmental Science
Divisions:	Division for Marine and Enviromental Research
Projects:	Project title Project leader Project code Project type Biomolekule koje vežu metale i zdravstveni poremećaji kod slatkovodnih organizama izloženih industrijskom otpadu-METABIOM Zrinka Dragun IP-2019-04-2636 HRZZ Školjkaši: Arhiva okolišnih promjena u obalnim morskim ekosustavima-BivACME Melita Peharda Uljević; Hana Uvanović; Ivica Vilibić; Daria Ezgeta Balić; Thébault Julien; Milica Mandić; Carlotta Mazzoldi; Hrvoje Mihanović; Bernd R. Schöne; Krešimir Markulin; Jasna Arapov; Ivan Župan; Clea Denamiel IP-2019-04-8542 HRZZ
Depositing User:	Zrinka Dragun
Date Deposited:	22 Jan 2025 13:27
URI:	http://fulir.irb.hr/id/eprint/9480
DOI:	10.1007/s00027-024-01110-w

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