MACNBR   00242
MUSEO ARGENTINO DE CIENCIAS NATURALES "BERNARDINO RIVADAVIA"
Unidad Ejecutora - UE
congresos y reuniones científicas
Título:
Conservation Status of Freshwater Bivalves in South America: State of the Art, Perspectives and Future Challenges
Autor/es:
DREHER - MANSUR, M. C; PREREIRA, D.; PIMPAO, D.; CALIL, C.; ITUARTE, C.; DARRIGRAN, G.; SCARABINO, F.; CLAVIJO, C.; LARA, G.; CREMONTE, F.IYAHIRA, I.
Lugar:
BraganÇa
Reunión:
Encuentro; First International Meeting od Conservation of liic bivalves; 2012
Institución organizadora:
Universidade de Porto
Resumen:
South America, with an area of 17,819,100 square kilometers, represents 12% of the
World land area and is home to 6% of the World population. It includes several major river
systems as the Amazon, Orinoco and Paraná/Río de la Plata basins, with a total drainage area of
9,583,000 km². These systems and other smaller include areas of endemism, diversity hotspots
and unique landscapes. In this continent live 160 known species of bivalves distributed in the
families Hyriidae (63 species), Sphaeriidae (42), Mycetopodidae (38), Corbiculidae (14),
Dreissenidae (1), Lyonsiidae (1) and Mytilidae (1). Five invasive species occur in South
America: the mytilid Limnoperna fortunei, and the corbiculids Corbicula fluminea, Corbicula
largillierti, Corbicula fluminalis and Corbicula sp. The taxonomic status of many species needs
revision. So far, an illustrated catalog of the native bivalve fauna of South America is lacking
and little is known about the preferred habitats for many species, their population status and
reproductive aspects of native species. Among the threats to conservation of native bivalves,
human activities such as the construction of dams, deforestation, erosion and river siltation,
water pollution and competition with invasive species are the most significant. In addition, the
critical revision of the official list of endangered species and the development of research
programs aiming the monitoring and management of bivalve populations, is strongly needed in
order to determine the actual population status of a number of species and generate ex situ
conservation programs for endangered species. Finally, education programs with view to raise
awareness about environment subjects, is also urgently needed.