The Asian clam, Corbicula fluminea, is an invasive alien species (IAS) originally from Asia that has spread worldwide causing major ecological and economic impacts in aquatic ecosystems. Here, we evaluated C. fluminea genetic (using COI mtDNA, CYTb mtDNA and 18S rDNA gene markers), morphometric and sperm morphology variation in Portuguese freshwater ecosystems. The COI marker revealed a single ...

INTRODUCTION Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease of public health concern in Brazil, and the construction of hydroelectric dams, in addition to increasing permanent human settlement and tourism, has created conditions suitable for the establishment of mollusks that can transmit schistosomiasis. Such areas require a number of actions to prevent the establishment of schistosomiasis. This paper...

The Asian clam Corbicula has become established worldwide in a wide range of freshwater ecosystems. Corbicula fluminea invaded Lake Constance (Central Europe) between 2000 and 2002 and has reached densities up to 3520 individuals .5 mm in length per square meter in sandy areas. However, the effect of this species on other benthic invertebrates remains unclear. Here, we show that ecosystem engin...

The key morphological feature that distinguishes corbiculate bees from other members of the Apidae family is the presence of the corbicula (pollen basket) on the tibial segment of hind legs. Here, we show that in the honeybee (Apis mellifera), the depletion of the gene Ultrabithorax (Ubx) by RNAi transforms the corbicula from a smooth, bristle-free concave structure to one covered with bristles...

Selenium is essential for most of living organisms. In normoxic to moderately hypoxic freshwaters, Se exists predominantly in the (+VI) and (+IV) oxidation states as selenate and selenite respectively, whereas in the biota it is incorporated as Se (-II) or Se (0). At low concentrations, it acts against oxidative damages, but it may be toxic at higher levels. In filter feeders, such as the fresh...

The aim of this paper is to present the distribution of the non-native species Hypania invalida (Polychaeta) within Serbian waters. In 1971, this species was found for the first time in the Danube and the Sava Rivers. According to our results, H. invalida is now widespread within potamon-type rivers that are under the influence of hydromorphological alterations and exposed to intensive ship tra...