Distribution of endangered freshwater mussel species Unio crassus Philipsson, 1788 in Serbia
2018
Authors:
Tomović, JelenaSimić, Vladica M.
Lajtner, Jasna
Petrović, Ana
Novaković, Boris
Raković, Maja
Paunović, Momir
Contributors
Kružić, PetarCaput Mihalić, Katarina
Gottstein, Sanja
Pavoković, Dubravko
Kučinić, Mladen
Document Type:
Conference object (Published version)
,
© 2018 by the Croatian Biological Society
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract:
The Thick Shelled River Mussel, Unio crassus Philipsson, 1788 is one of Europe’s most
endangered freshwater mussel taxa – according to the IUCN criteria assessed as endangered
(EN) The aim of this study is to present the current distribution of this species in Serbia,
based on the research performed between 2001 and 2013. Previous studies in Serbia
indicated only sporadic findings of the species in a restricted area over the last several
decades (BAES database). Our study covered the entire territory of Serbia. Out of 500 sites
covered by the study, the mussels were recorded at 23 sites. U. crassus has been recorded at
the Velika and Zapadna Morava rivers, the Kolubara River Basin and the Danube, the Tisa
and Sava rivers. The species has been sporadically found in Serbia, with low frequency of
occurrence and low abundance along the Danube and Tisa rivers (up to 1.75% of the total
mussel community), while it was found almost along entire stretches of the Velika Morava
and Sava Rivers, with higher relative abundance compared to the Danube and Tisa rivers (up
to 15.49% of the total mussel community). Based on our study, a positive population trend,
reflected in extension of the known distribution range and increasing of population density
has been recorded in Serbia.
Keywords:
Unionidae; distribution range; endangered speciesIn:
- Kružić P, Caput Mihalić K, Gottstein S, Pavoković D, Kučinić M, editors. Book of abstracts: 13th Croatian biological congress with international participation; 2018 Sep 19-23; Poreč, Croatia. Zagreb: Croatian Biological Society; 2018. p. 233.