Taxonomic and distributional study of freshwater bivalve populations "Naiads" (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Hyriidae) in Patagonia, Argentina.

TORRES SANTIAGO; DARRIGRAN GUSTAVO

American Malacological Society Newsletter

ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES

Lugar: Philadelphia; Año: 2012 vol. 43 p. 9 - 10

1041-5300

Populations of Naiads, very abundant in the past (31 species listed) (Rumi et al., 2008), have been displaced / extinct by habitat modification (Darrigran, 1999) and the invasion of bivalves (e.g. Limnoperna fortunei and Corbicula fluminea)(Darrigran and Damborenea, 2005). Globally the rate of extinction of freshwater bivalves is very high, and superior to other groups such as vertebrates. The IUCN report shows that of the 306 bivalve species assessed, 41% are seriously threatened (Baillie et al., 2004). These species are an important component of the infauna of lotic and lentic water bodies, living in silty and sandy bottoms, filter feeding, taking a role as recyclers of organic material (Bogan, 2008).