Ecology and evolution of the Freshwater Mussels Unionoida

594.4/G.E

Ecological studies, VOL 145

Ecology and evolution of the Freshwater Mussels Unionoida.

By

M.M. Caldwell, Logan. USA
G. Heldmaier, Marburg, Germany
O.L. Lange, Wurzburg, Germany
H.A. Mooney, Stanford, USA
E.D. Schulze, Jend, Germany
U. Sommer, Kiel, Germany

Contents:

Part 1: Systematics and Distribution.

• Characterization of the Unionoida (Naiads).
• Freshwater Mussels (Hyriidae) of Australasia.
• Systematics and Distribution of the Recent Margaritiferidae.
• Population Genetics and systematics of European Unionoidea.

Part 2: Life – History Strategies.

• Life – History Variation on Different Taxonomic Levels of Naiads.
• Larval Types and Early Postlarval Biology in Naiads (Unionoida).
• Plasticity of Life – History Traits in Unio Crassus.
•  Life – History Data on the Virtually Unknown Margaritifera auricularia.

Part 3: Populations and Communities.

• Factors Affecting Naiad Occurrence and Abundance.
• Effect of Muskrat Predation on Naiads.
• Glochidial Mortality in Freshwater Mussels.
• Macrohabitat Factors Influencing the Distribution of Naiads in the St. Croix River, Minnesota and Wisconsin. USA.

Part 4: Evolutionary Biology

• Framework and Driving Forces for the Evolution of Naiad Life Histories.
•  A Phylogenetic Perspective on the Evolution of Morphological and Reproductive Characteristics in the Unionoida.
•   The Evolution of the Unionacea in North America, and Its Implications for the Worldwide Fauna.

Part 5: Mussels and Environment.

• Environmental Relationships of Naiads: Threats, Impact on the Ecosystem, Indicator Function.
• Filtration and Respiration Rates of two Unionid Species and Their Impact on the water Quality of a Lowland River.
• Effects of Eutrophication on Unionids.
• The Extent of, and Causes for, the Decline of a Highly Threatened Naiad: Margaritifera margaritifera.
• The Pearl Mussel – Salmon community in the Varzuga River, Northwest Russia: Problems of Environmental Impacts.
• How Environmental Information Can Be Obtained from Naiad Shells.

Part 5: Synopsis.

• Ecology and Evolution of the Naiads.

Prep./ Asmaa Ahmed
REV./ Ayman Ashry
Manage./ Zeinab Osman