First established population of the Chinese pond mussel Sinanodonta woodiana (Lea, 1834) (Bivalvia: Unionidae) in Greece

Abstract

This contribution presents the first established population of the Chinese pond mussel Sinanodonta woodiana (Lea, 1834) (Bivalvia: Unionidae) in Greece. Previous single reports from rivers Axios and Evros need further investigation. Chinese pond mussels were collected in Lake Pamvotida (= Pamvotis or Ioannina) during a mussel field expedition in October 2020. This alien species was first detected in 2006 in a fishpond adjacent to the lake from where it possibly dispersed. The species is now widespread and abundant throughout the lake and is most possibly displacing a genetically unique population of Anodonta cygnea endemic to the lake. Species identification was confirmed with genetic cytochrome oxidase c subunit I (COI) gene barcoding sequences. A single COI haplotype was retrieved which is shared by the vast of majority of the specimens sequenced from the invaded range in Europe. Monitoring of S. woodiana presence and abundance should be widely conducted and special attention and collaboration with fish farms is urgently required to prevent its dispersal to other freshwater ecosystems.