Declining freshwater mussel diversity in the middle and lower reaches of the Xin River Basin: Threat and conservation.

ABSTRACT: Freshwater mussels provide important functions and services for aquatic ecosystems, but populations of many species have been extirpated. Information on biodiversity plays an important role in the conservation and management of freshwater mussels. The Xin River Basin is a biodiversity hotspot for freshwater mussels in China, with more than 43 species known, but populations of which are decreasing. Here, we quantify the diversity of freshwater mussels in the middle and lower reaches of the Xin River Basin and study the correlation of habitat characteristics and freshwater mussel diversity. Compared to the historical period, the number of species, density, and biomass of freshwater mussels decreased 33%, 83%, and 82% in the current period, respectively. Fifty two percent of recorded species

SUBMITTER: Sun W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6953653 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature