In the search of the lost pearl : rediscovery of Southern populations of Margaritifera Margaritifera (L. ) in Russia as a model of conservation research

The monograph focuses on the European freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera , which is an endangered bivalve species. Most of its populations in the Russian section of the Baltic Sea basin had never been studied, although they were known in the past to the pearl fishers. “Rediscovery” included search for the previously unknown populations, revealing the facts of population extinctions, analysis of negative impacts, elaboration of conservation measures, and revealing of regularities in distribution. Patterns of land use and river management were analyzed. The procedure of “rediscovery” was applied for other animal species of Northwest Russia, which are threatened on a global scale – thick-shelled mussel, Unio crassus ; curlew Numenius arquata ; black-tailed godwit, Limosa limosa ; Northern Lapwing, Vanellus vanellus ; European mink, Mustela lutreola ; pond bat, Myotis dasycneme ; Atlantic sturgeon, Acipenser sturio ; and broad-clawed crayfish, Astacus astacus . The methods and principles of conservation studies were discussed. The obtained data were analyzed with respect to current global change of biosphere. The book will appeal to specialists dealing with conservation studies and activities such as red lists, river protection, and conservation of endangered species. Moreover, a part of the book represents an interest for biogerontology as it presents discredit of the popular concept on “negligible senescence.” The data on distribution of some animals in Russia will be interesting in terms of zoology and biogeography, as they are not yet sufficiently represented in the international editions. The book can be used as supplemental reading for courses in biological invasions, ecology and conservation, and biodiversity. The work also contains chapters on global processes (deforestation, desertification, river degradation) and can therefore also be used for general courses in environmental sciences. Preface Contents About the Author Chapter 1: Introduction References Part I: European Pearl Mussel Margaritifera margaritifera: Background Information and Literature Review Chapter 2: Biology, Distribution and Numbers of the European Freshwater Pearl Mussel Margaritifera margaritifera References Web Sources Chapter 3: Negative Factors Influencing the Populations of Margaritifera margaritifera in Europe References Chapter 4: Study Area and Data on Margaritifera margaritifera References Web Sources Part II: Materials and Methods Chapter 5: Revealing the Presence or Absence of Margaritifera margaritifera Populations in the Rivers and Characterizing their... References Chapter 6: The Study of Pearl Mussel Shells References Part III: Results Chapter 7: Distribution and Numbers of Margaritifera margaritifera and its Extinct Populations in the Study Area Populations of M. margaritifera Revealed During the Study Extinct Populations of M. margaritifera and the Causes of their Extinction Characteristics of Rivers Indicating Probable Presence or Absence of M. margaritifera (``Searching Rules ́ ́) References Chapter 8: Recent Tendencies Characterizing the Populations of Margaritifera margaritifera and the Results of Activities on th... Observation of the Peipia River 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Observation of the Gladyshevka River and the Roshinka River References Chapter 9: Negative Influences on Margaritifera margaritifera Populations in the Study Area Pollution Hydrotechnic Constructions Evidence of a Catastrophic Decline of the Host Fish Populations Extermination of Salmonids in the Gladyshevka and Roshinka Rivers Electrofishing Survey of the Rivers Where Pearl Mussels Occurred in the Past and Their Inflows: Historical Evidence of Local F... Observation of Fish in the Natural Environment General Information About Fishery in the Study Area Degradation of the Local Baltic Salmon Populations Extermination of Natural Habitats in the Catchment Areas of the Rivers and Along Their Banks Alien Species Canalization of Rivers Beavers and Pearl Mussels Pearl Fishing Climate Change Lack of Information and Scientific Studies of M. margaritifera as a Source of Negative Impacts References Web Sources Chapter 10: Conservation Measures for Margaritifera margaritifera Populations Removal of Local Pollution Sources Near Pearl Mussel Habitats Conservation and Restoration of Salmonid Populations Artificial Rearing of Pearl Mussels and Their Host Fish and Their Release into the Natural Environment Conservation and Restoration of Natural Arboreal Vegetation Near Pearl Mussel Habitats Filling Information Gaps and Increasing Public Awareness Control of the Beaver Populations Acclimatization and Reacclimatization of Pearl Mussels Changing the Management Practices of Protected Areas Establishment of New Protected Areas Conservation of Lakes, from Which the Rivers with Pearl Mussel Habitats Flow References Chapter 11: A Conservation Study Model References Chapter 12: Characteristics of Shells of the Pearl Mussels in Accordance to ``Comparatory Method ́ ́ Reference Chapter 13: Age and Ageing of Pearl Mussels Part IV: Discussion Chapter 14: Distribution of Margaritifera margaritifera References Chapter 15: Rare Phenomena Observed in the Study Area: Survival of Small Populations of Margaritifera margaritifera, an ``Idea... References Chapter 16: Common and ``Uncommon ́ ́ Pearl Mussels References Chapter 17: The Absence of ``Non-ageing ́ ́ Pearl Mussels References Chapter 18: Extinction of Margaritifera margaritifera Populations in the Context of Global Biosphere Change References Chapter 19: Decline of Margaritifera margaritifera as an Evolutionary Process References Chapter 20: Conclusions