Freshwater mussels (Mollusca, Bivalvia, Unionidae) of the Danube river basin of Ukraine
Despite the ongoing environmental problems, the basin of the Danube river is the least disturbed on the territory of Ukraine. Thus, its malacofauna is a nominal standard for the southern water systems of Central Europe. Particular attention is paid to freshwater mussels, which are indicator species...
Gespeichert in:
| Veröffentlicht in: | Zoodiversity (Vestnik Zoologii) |
|---|---|
| Datum: | 2021 |
| Jahrgang: | 55 |
| Heft: | 1 |
| ISSN: | 2707-7268 |
| Автори та афіліації: |
|
| Hauptverfasser: | , , , |
| Format: | Artikel |
| Sprache: | Englisch |
| Veröffentlicht: |
Publishing House "Akademperiodyka" of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
2021
|
| Online Zugang: | https://ojs.akademperiodyka.org.ua/index.php/Zoodiversity/article/view/115 |
| Tags: |
Tag hinzufügen
Keine Tags, Fügen Sie den ersten Tag hinzu!
|
| Назва журналу: | Zoodiversity |
| Завантажити файл: |
|
Institution
Zoodiversity| _version_ | 1874092679788232704 |
|---|---|
| author | Shevchuk, L. Vasilyeva, L. Taradajnyk, M. S. Mezhzherin |
| author_facet | Shevchuk, L. Vasilyeva, L. Taradajnyk, M. S. Mezhzherin |
| author_institution_txt_mv | [
{
"author": "L. Shevchuk",
"institution": null,
"orcid": ""
},
{
"author": "L. Vasilyeva",
"institution": null,
"orcid": ""
},
{
"author": "M. Taradajnyk",
"institution": null,
"orcid": ""
},
{
"author": "S. Mezhzherin",
"institution": null,
"orcid": ""
}
] |
| author_sort | Shevchuk, L. |
| baseUrl_str | https://ojs.akademperiodyka.org.ua/index.php/Zoodiversity/oai |
| collection | OJS |
| container_end_page | |
| container_issue | 1 |
| container_start_page | |
| container_title | Zoodiversity (Vestnik Zoologii) |
| container_volume | 55 |
| datestamp_date | 2026-08-20T12:37:28Z |
| description | Despite the ongoing environmental problems, the basin of the Danube river is the least disturbed on the territory of Ukraine. Thus, its malacofauna is a nominal standard for the southern water systems of Central Europe. Particular attention is paid to freshwater mussels, which are indicator species and most of which are subject to special protection. During 2009-2011, 50 points of the Danube river basin were surveyed. In 23 of them, seven species of Unionidae were recorded: U. pictorum, U. tumidus, U. crassus s. lato, A. anatina, A. cygnea, P. сomplanatа and S. woodiana, which is an invasive species. The index of occurrence of freshwater mussels in general was 100% in the Lower Danube river (5 study areas), 42% in Tisa river (31 study areas), 33.3% in Seret river (3 study areas), 36% in Prut river (11 study areas). The index of occurrence of species was rather low: 24% of A. anatina, 22% of U.  tumidus, 22% of U. crassus,  16% of U. pictorum, 14% of P. complanata, 14% of S. woodiana, and 2% of A. cygnea. U. crassus was not found in the Lower Danube river, while A. cygnea was found only there outside the main watercourse. The invasive species S. woodiana occurred in the Lower Danube river and in the sub-basin of Tisa river (with 83% and 20% frequency, respectively. The mean values of population densities ranged from 1.00 (A. cygnea) to 6.14 ind./m2 (S. woodiana), and the mean biomass varied from 1.14 (P. сomplanatа) to 797.54 g/m2  (S. woodiana). In general, the composition of aboriginal malacofauna was stable, with a tendency to decreasing population densities |
| doi_str_mv | 10.15407/zoo2021.01.041 |
| first_indexed | 2025-07-17T12:35:01Z |
| format | Article |
| fulltext |
UDC 594.141(282.243.7:477)
FRESHWATER MUSSELS (MOLLUSCA, BIVALVIA, UNIONIDAE)
OF THE DANUBE RIVER BASIN OF UKRAINE
L. Shevchuk1*, L. Vasilyeva1, M. Taradajnyk2, S. Mezhzherin3
1Department of Zoology, Biological Monitoring and Nature Conservation,
Zhytomyr Ivan Franko State University, Velyka Berdychivska, 40, Zhytomyr, 10004 Ukraine
2Department of Medical and Biological Bases of Physical Education and Sport,
Zhytomyr Ivan Franko State University, Velyka Berdychivska, 40, Zhytomyr, 10004 Ukraine
3Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology NAS of Ukraine, vul. B. Khmelnyskogo, 15, Kyiv, 01030 Ukraine
*Corresponding author
E-mail: shevchuk.biol@gmail.com
L. Shevchuk (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4164-514X)
L. Vasilyeva (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0661-927X)
M. Taradajnyk (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3993-1243)
S. Mezhzherin (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2905-5235)
Freshwater Mussels (Mollusca, Bivalvia, Unionidae) of the Danube River Basin of Ukraine.
Shevhuk, L., Vasilyeva, L., Taradajnyk, M., Mezhzherin, S. — During 2009–2011, 50 points of the Danube
River Basin were surveyed. In 23 of them, seven species of Unionidae were recorded: U. pictorum,
U. tumidus, U. crassus sensu lato, A. anatina, A. cygnea, P. сomplanatа and S. woodiana, which is an
invasive species. Th e index of occurrence of freshwater mussels in general was 100 % in the Lower Danube
River (5 study areas), 42 % in Tisa River (31 study areas), 33.3 % in Seret River (3 study areas), 36 % in
Prut River (11 study areas). Th e index of occurrence of species was rather low: 24 % of A. anatina, 22 % of
U. tumidus, 22 % of U. crassus, 16 % of U. pictorum, 14 % of P. complanata, 14 % of S. woodiana, and 2 %
of A. cygnea. U. crassus was not found in the Lower Danube river, while A. cygnea was found there only
outside the main watercourse. Th e invasive species S. woodiana occurred in the Lower Danube River and
in the sub-basin of Tisa River with 83 % and 20 % frequency, respectively. Th e mean values of population
densities ranged from 1.00 (A. cygnea) to 6.14 ind./m2 (S. woodiana), and the mean biomass varied from
1.14 (P. сomplanatа) to 797.54 g/m2 (S. woodiana).
Key words : Unionidae, Danube River Basin, Ukraine, species composition, abundance (population size
and density), biomass.
Th e Danube is the longest European river that inspires signifi cant scientifi c interest in studying various
aspects of its functioning. As early as 2001, a team of researchers established by ICPDR (International Commis-
sion for the Protection of the Danube River) has begun the studies along the whole river (http://www.icpdr.org/
main/activities-projects/joint-danube-survey-1).
In Ukraine, the Danube River Basin covers 5.3 % of the territory and occupies the southern and south-
eastern slopes of the Eastern Carpathians, Transcarpathia and the southwestern outskirts of the Black Sea Low-
lands. It includes the rivers of Tisa, Seret, and Prut basins (the Ukrainian sections of these rivers amount to
7.3 % of the total fl ow of the Danube), as well as several rivers that fl ow into the Danube or the Danube lakes
below the mouth of the Prut River. Th e water resources of the Danube River in Ukraine belong mostly (73 %)
Zoodiversity, 55(1): 41–50, 2021
DOI 10.15407/zoo2021.01.041
42 L. Shevchuk, L. Vasilyeva, M. Taradajnyk, S. Mezhzherin
T
ab
le
1
. C
ha
ra
ct
er
ist
ic
s o
f s
am
pl
ed
m
at
er
ia
l (
sa
m
pl
in
g
po
in
ts
, s
pe
ci
es
, p
op
ul
at
io
n
de
ns
ity
an
d
bi
om
as
s)
N
o
Sa
m
pl
in
g
ar
ea
Se
ttl
em
en
t
Sa
m
pl
in
g
co
or
di
na
tes
(L
at
/L
on
g)
U
. t
um
id
us
(in
d.
/m
2 /g
/m
2 )
U
. p
ict
or
um
(in
d.
/m
2 /g
/m
2 )
U
. c
ra
ssu
s
(in
d.
/m
2 /g
/m
2 )
A.
a
na
tin
a
(in
d.
/m
2 /g
/m
2 )
A.
cy
gn
ea
(in
d.
/m
2 /g
/m
2 )
P.
co
m
pl
an
at
a
(in
d.
/m
2 /g
/m
2 )
S.
w
oo
di
an
a
(in
d.
/m
2 /g
/m
2 )
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Lo
we
r D
an
ub
e R
iv
er
1
D
an
ub
e
Li
sk
y
45
°2
8'5
''/2
9°
28
'41
''
5/
14
7.
26
–
–
–
–
2/
59
.5
7
–
2
D
an
ub
e
V
yl
ko
ve
45
°2
3'5
8''
/2
9°
35
'42
''
4/
21
2.
39
3/
26
6.
93
–
4/
13
0.
51
–
1/
52
.7
3
6/
50
1.
12
3
Ba
za
rc
hu
k
ch
an
ne
l
V
yl
ko
ve
45
°2
5'5
''/2
9°
33
'51
''
2/
10
1,
31
2/
68
.2
9
–
–
–
1/
39
.3
3
5/
59
9.
23
4
D
an
ub
e-
Sa
sy
k
ch
an
ne
l
Pr
ym
or
sk
e
45
°3
2'5
2''
/2
9°
35
'18
''
3/
89
.3
7
–
–
2/
62
.2
1
–
–
5/
50
7.
54
5
PM
K
ch
an
ne
l
V
yl
ko
ve
45
°2
3'4
8''
/2
9°
35
'44
''
3/
0
0/
0
–
3/
35
6.
18
1/
0
–
5/
37
8.
28
Su
b-
ba
sin
o
f T
isa
R
iv
er
6
Bo
rz
ha
va
R
iv
er
V
ilh
iv
ka
48
°1
5'4
9''
/2
3°
4'3
2''
–
–
15
/1
27
.4
1
–
–
–
–
7
Bo
rz
ha
va
R
iv
er
V
ar
y
48
°7
'17
''/2
2°
42
'39
''
1/
16
.8
6
–
1/
39
.8
6
1/
23
.9
8
–
1/
23
.2
4
–
8
Ir
sh
av
a R
iv
er
.
Si
lts
e
48
°1
7'1
4''
/2
2°
59
'50
''
–
–
1/
0
–
–
–
–
9
La
to
ry
tsa
R
iv
er
M
uk
ac
he
vo
48
°2
6'1
4''
/2
2°
41
'18
''
–
–
7/
12
7.
74
–
–
–
–
10
La
to
ry
tsa
R
iv
er
(o
ld
ri
ve
rb
ed
)
So
lo
m
on
ov
e
48
°2
5'5
0''
/2
2°
9'5
0''
10
/0
7/
0
–
5/
33
4.
64
–
–
5/
20
01
.5
5
11
La
to
ry
tsa
R
iv
er
(n
ew
riv
er
be
d)
So
lo
m
on
ov
e
48
°2
7'1
3''
/2
2°
9'5
7''
8/
10
7,
61
8/
14
5,
85
10
/2
34
.2
3
–
–
1/
4.
98
–
12
La
to
ry
tsa
R
iv
er
St
ar
e D
av
id
ko
ve
48
°2
7'5
2''
/2
2°
38
'2'
'
5/
10
3.
21
3/
60
.2
4
10
/1
12
.0
8
–
–
–
–
13
La
to
ry
tsa
R
iv
er
Ch
ab
an
iv
ka
48
°2
9'1
8''
/2
2°
32
'51
''
7/
0
1/
0
1/
0
5/
0
–
1/
0
10
/0
14
La
to
rit
sa
-c
on
ne
ct
ed
ch
an
ne
l
Ch
om
on
in
48
°2
3'5
3''
/2
2°
28
'38
''
–
–
–
1/
0
–
–
–
15
La
to
rit
sa
-c
on
ne
ct
ed
ch
an
ne
l
D
em
ec
hi
48
°2
5'1
2''
/2
2°
17
'40
''
–
–
–
–
–
–
5/
0
16
A
ps
hy
tsa
R
iv
er
G
ru
sh
ov
e
48
°0
'24
''/2
3°
45
'44
''
–
–
3/
0
–
–
–
–
17
U
zh
R
iv
er
U
zh
ho
ro
d
48
°3
7'7
''/2
2°
17
'55
''
–
–
1/
0
–
–
–
18
Po
nd
O
rik
ho
vy
tsa
48
°3
9'6
''/2
2°
22
'22
''
10
/2
49
.0
8
–
–
15
/9
86
.6
9
–
–
–
Su
b-
ba
sin
o
f S
er
et
R
iv
er
19
po
nd
D
yn
iv
tsi
48
°1
9'2
6''
/2
6°
16
'49
''
–
–
–
4/
39
1.
42
–
–
–
Su
b-
ba
sin
o
f P
ru
t R
iv
er
20
St
al
in
es
ht
y
Ri
ve
r
M
am
al
yg
a
48
°1
5'2
0''
/2
6°
35
'14
''
–
8/
28
2.
32
3/
14
4.
00
10
/1
53
1.
92
–
1/
54
.8
3
21
U
nn
am
ed
R
iv
er
N
ov
oo
le
ks
iiv
ka
48
°2
3'1
2''
/2
7°
14
'32
''
–
–
–
3/
29
8.
99
–
–
22
Ry
ng
ac
h
Ri
ve
r
Ta
ra
siv
tsi
48
°1
2'
4''
/2
6°
20
'36
''
–
–
–
1/
58
.5
2
–
–
–
23
Si
re
t R
iv
er
(n
ew
ri
ve
rb
ed
)
St
ar
y
V
ov
ch
yn
et
s
48
°0
'50
''/2
5°
57
'51
''
–
–
1/
0
–
–
–
–
N
ot
e:
«–
» —
sp
ec
ie
s i
s n
ot
fo
un
d,
«0
» —
n
o
da
ta
.
43Freshwater Mussels (Mollusca, Bivalvia, Unionidae) of the Danube River Basin of Ukraine
to the basin of the Tisa River, which is the Danube’s largest tributary. Th e Ukrainian part of the Danube River
is 174 km long, from Reni city to river’s mouth. Although that is a small part of the Lower Danube, the local
hydrobionts were studied extensively. However, there have been no specifi c studies of freshwater mussels (Mol-
lusca, Bivalvia, Unionidae). Th ese mussels have been studied in other Ukrainian water bodies and watercourse
of the Danube River Basin in the second half of XX century (Markovsky, 1955; Zdun, 1960; Shnarevich and
Ivanchik, 1963; Ivanchik, 1967, 1968; Dedyu and Mushchinsky, 1969; Polishchuk, 1974, 1977; Stadnichenko,
1984) and in Transcarpathians, only Unionidae of the Uzh were studied (Stadnichenko, 1984). Th e bivalve mol-
lusks are natural fi lters and thus they are important components of self-sustaining purifi cation of water bodies.
A large body of scientifi c research indicates the importance of studying that animal group in water bodies and
watercourses of the Danube River Basin in various countries of Europe (Popa, 2005; Bódis, 2008; Sîrbu, 2006;
Sîrbu et al., 2010; Bódis et al., 2011; Tomović et al., 2014). Th e studies of Unionidae of the Ukrainian part of the
Danube River will result in better data on their systematic and chorological characteristics in diff erent areas of
the basin, will help to concentrate on the main problems of the biodiversity conservation.
Th ere are six species of aboriginal freshwater mussels (Unionidae) of Ukraine: Unio pictorum Linnaeus,
1758, U. tumidus Philіpsson, 1788, U. crassus Philipsson, 1788 (considered sensu lato in present study
(Mezhzherin et al., 2013)), Anodonta anatina Linnaeus, 1758, A. cygnea Linnaeus, 1758 and P. сomplanatа
Rossmassler, 1835. Th e same species are found in the Danube River Basin. Moreover, the invasive species
Sinanodonta woodiana Lea, 1834 was found in the Lower Danube River Basin in 1999 (Yurishinets and
Kornyushin, 2001).
Hence, only the water bodies and watercourse of the Danube River Basin in Ukraine contain 7 Unionidae
species (fi g. 1). Th e studies of distribution, frequency of occurrence, specifi cs of population structure of those
essential species of fi lter animals are of signifi cant interest.
Material and methods
Th e samples were collected manually according to standard methods in warm seasons of 2009–2011. Th e
material is described in tables 1 and 2.
Table 2. Sampling areas where the mollusks were not found
No Sampling area Settlement Sampling coordinates
(Lat/Long)
Sub-basin of Tisa River
1 Borzhava River Velyki Kom’yaty 48°14'46''/22°59'36''
2 Latorytsa River Pidpolozzia 48°44'58''/23°0'48''
3 Latorytsa River Svaliava 48°33'11''/22°58'48''
4 Drainage system of
Latorytsa River Solomonove 48°26'48''/22°9'38''
5 Latorytsa River Tyshiv 48°48'16''/23°4'47''
6 Channel, connected to Latorytsa River Gat’ 48°18'51''/22°38'20''
7 Uzh River Kam’anytsa 48°41'22''/22°25'25''
8 Uzh River Nevytske 48°40'49''/22°24'7''
9 Chorni lake Uzhhorod 48°37'46''/22°15'23''
10 Tisa River Teresva 47°59'37''/23°42'17''
11 Tisa River Khust 48°10'9''/23°16'33''
12 Tereblia River Bushtyno 48°2'29''/23°29'26''
13 Teresva River Teresva 48°0'0''/23°40'36''
14 Teresva River Teresva 47°59'12''/23°40'24''
15 Roman River Dun’kovytsa 48°19'7''/22°53'48''
16 Babachka water reservoir Sofi ya 44°22'55''/22°48'48''
17 Babachka channel Zaluzhzhia 48°21'47''/22°51'8''
18 pond Sokyrnytsa 48°7'33''/23°22'3''
Sub-basin of Seret River
19 Mykhydra River Stara Zhadova 48°12'34''/25°30'7''
20 pond Nedoboyivtsi 48°26'8''/26°21'42''
Sub-basin of Prut River
21 Ryngach River Marshyntsi 48°12'19''/26°19'14''
22 Prut River Chernivtsi 48°18'42''/22°55'3''
23 Kotyliv River Koteleve 48°17'28''/26°22'31''
24 Rokytna River Novoselytsa 48°13'5''/26°16'18''
25 pond Novoselytsa 48°13'43''/26°17'12''
26 Siret River (old riverbed) Stary Vovchynets 48°0'51''/25°58'0''
27 Siret River Storozhynets 48°9'32''/25°43'0''
44 L. Shevchuk, L. Vasilyeva, M. Taradajnyk, S. Mezhzherin
Results and discussion
In 2009–2011, 50 sampling points were examined in the Danube River Basin. Unioni-
dae mussels were found only in 23 of them (46 %) (tables 1, 2). Th e frequency of occurrence
of Unionidae mussels (our data) was compared to data of other researchers on these mus-
sels of other water basins of Ukraine (table 3). Th e state of Unionidae populations in the
studied basin is not encouraging.
Th e obtained results showed (table 4) that 16 sampling areas which contained mussels
were in rivers, 5 in channels and 2 in ponds. Unionidae populations were absent in rivers
(54 %), in all water reservoirs and lakes (100 %), in the majority of ponds (60 %) and in a
number of channels (37.5 %).
1
2
3
4
5 6
7
8
Fig. 1. Shells (left side): 1 — U. tumidus (the Stalineshty River, Mamalyga); 2 — U. pictorum (the Stalineshty
River, Mamalyga); 3 — U. crassus (the Borzhava River, Vilkhivka); 4 — A. anatina (PMK channel, Vylkove);
5 — A. cygnea (PMK canal, Vylkove); 6 — P. complanata (the Danube River, Lisky); 7 — S. woodiana (the
Danube River, Vylkove); 8 — S. woodiana (the Latorytsa River, Solomonove). Scale 10 mm.
45Freshwater Mussels (Mollusca, Bivalvia, Unionidae) of the Danube River Basin of Ukraine
Notably, the frequency of oc-
currence of freshwater mussels
varied in diff erent parts of the
Danube River Basin. Th is was re-
fl ected in the ratio of study areas
where the mollusks were found
to all study areas. Th us, this pa-
rameter was 100 % for the Lower
Danube (5 study areas in total),
42 % for the sub-basin of the Tisa
River (31 study areas in total),
33.3 % for the sub-basin of the
Seret (3 study areas in total), 36 %
for the sub-basin of the Prut (11
study areas in total). Previously, the populations of freshwater mussels were observed at the
whole riverbed (Bartosh, 1938; Sarkany-Kiss, 1997). Th is is infrequent now.
Species richness (table 1) is an important characteristic of a community. Th us, 6 spe-
cies of mollusks (U. pictorum, U. tumidus, U. crassus, A. anatina, P. complanata, S. woodi-
ana) were found in 1 biotope (the Latorytsa River, Chabanivka village, Zakarpattia Region
of Ukraine), 5 species in 2 biotopes (the Danube River and PMK channel, Vylkove, Odesa
Region of Ukraine), and 4 species in 5 biotopes (the Borzhava River, Vary village, Zakar-
pattia Region; Latorytsa River (old and new riverbed), Solomonove village, Zakarpattia Re-
gion; Stalineshty River, Mamalyga village, Chernivtsi Region; Bazarchuk channel, Vylkove,
Odesa Region). 2 species, (U. tumidus and A. anatina) were found in a pond of Orichovytsa
village, Zakarpattia Region, and in the Danube River, Lisky village, Odesa Region (U. tumi-
dus and P. complanata). 11 communities were monospecifi c, 8 of them in rivers: 6 of river
communities were composed of U. crassus, 4 communities were of A. anatina, and 1 was of
S. woodiana. Th e species composition of Unionidae in the rivers of the Danube River Basin
was the most various compared to those of other river basins (Yanovych, 2013).
Table 3. Frequency of occurrence of Unionidae in river basins
of Ukraine
River basins Frequency of occurrence, %
Danube 46
Dniester 39
Western Bug 28
Southern Bug 47
Prypyat 84
Desna 79
Dnipro 74
Siversky Donets 67
Pryazovia 0
Crimea 17
Table 4. Frequency of occurrence of Unionidae freshwater mussels in Danube River Basin and number
of species in study area
Type of water
body
Number of
study areas
Study areas with
Unionidae
Study areas with the noted number of mollusk
species
6 5 4 3 2 1 0
River 35 16 1 1 4 1 1 8 19
Water reservoir 1 0 – – – – – – 1
Lake 1 0 – – – – – – 1
Pond 5 2 – – – – 1 1 3
Channel 8 5 – 1 1 1 – 2 3
Table 5. Frequency of occurrence (%) of freshwater mussels in various parts of the Danube River Basin
Species
of mollusk
Lower
Danube River
Sub-basin
of Tisa River
Sub-basin
of Seret River
Sub-basin
of Prut River
U. pictorum 40 33 – 25
U. tumidus 83 40 – –
U. crassus – 73 – 50
A. anatina 67 33 100 75
A. cygnea 17 – – –
P. complanata 50 20 – 25
S. woodiana 83 20 – –
46 L. Shevchuk, L. Vasilyeva, M. Taradajnyk, S. Mezhzherin
Th e frequency of occurrence of some freshwater mussel species and their abundance
are of particular interest in the Danube River Basin (table 5).
Overall the frequency of occurrence of Unionidae was low in the Danube River Basin:
16 % for U. pictorum, 22 % for U. tumidus, 22 % for U. crassus, 24 % for A. anatina, 2 % for
A. cygnea, 14 % for P. complanata and for S. woodiana. Interestingly, the index was rather
high for U. crassus and very low for A. cygnea.
Th us, according to literature, U. pictorum has already been recorded in the Danube
watercourse (Markovsky, 1955; Zdun, 1960; Shnarevich and Ivanchik, 1963; Ivanchik,
1967, 1968; Dedyu and Mushchinsky, 1969; Polishchuk, 1974, 1977; Stadnichenko, 1984). It
was found in various areas of the watercourse. According to our data, the frequency of
occurrence of that species was 16 %. However that parameter varied in diff erent areas of
the Danube River Basin. Th us, the species was found in 2 of 5 study areas (frequency of
occurrence 40 %) in the Lower Danube River, in 5 of 15 study areas (33 %) in the sub-basin
of the Tisa River, in 1 of 4 study areas (25 %) in the sub-basin of the Prut River. It was
absent in the single study area in the sub-basin of the Seret River.
U. tumidus has also been considered a common species of Unionidae in Ukraine, be-
cause it occurred in all natural geographical zones and was numerous (Stadnichenko, 1984).
It has been found in the Danube River Basin, too (Gaidash, 1971; Markovsky, 1955; Ivanchik,
1964, 1967, 1968; Polishchuk, 1974, 1977; Kornyushin and Lyashenko, 2004). In present study,
it was found in the Lower Danube and sub-basin of the Tisa River, with 83 and 40 % fre-
quency of occurrence, respectively.
U. crassus has been previously recorded in rivers Tisa, Prut, Uzh, and in the estuaries of
the Danube Delta (Zhadin, 1938; Markovsky, 1955; Cheremisina and Ivanchik, 1955; Ivanchik,
1967, 1968; Polishchuk, 1977; Stadnichenko, 1984; Kornyushin and Lyashenko, 2004). However,
the fi ndings in the Danube Delta are rather controversial, because they have not been con-
fi rmed by the numerous surveys conducted by other authors in this region. We did not fi nd
this species in the Lower Danube. In the sub-basin of the Tisa River its frequency of occur-
rence was 73 %, and in the sub-basin of the Prut River it was 50 %.
А. anatina is also a common mollusk species in Ukraine. It has been observed in the
Lower Danube River Basin and in Transcarpathia rivers (Markovsky, 1955; Zdun, 1960;
Ivanchik, 1968; Polishchuk, 1977). We found it in water bodies and watercourse of the Low-
er Danube (frequency of occurrence 67 %), and in sub-basins of the Tisa (33 %), Seret
(100 %), and Prut (75 %).
А. cygnea prefers the lakes and fl oodplain water bodies with clean water. It has not
been recorded previously in the Danube River Basin in Ukraine. We found that species in
a single study area in the Lower Danube (17 % frequency of occurrence). Th e unevenness
of distribution of this species has been noted by other researchers. Th e species is frequently
absent in samples, or present as hollow shells (Popa, 2005; Sîrbu et al., 2010; Tomović et al.,
2014; Bódis et al., 2015).
P. complanata was rather common in Ukraine until 1970s–1980s, though with low
abundance. It has been observed in the basin of the Lower Danube River and Transcar-
pathia rivers (Markovsky, 1955; Zdun, 1960; Ivanchik, 1967; Polishchuk, 1974, 1977). We
found it in the Lower Danube (50 % frequency of occurrence) and the sub-basins of the
Tisa (20 %) and Prut (25 %).
In 2001, invasion of S. woodiana has been reported in the aquatic coenoses of Ukraine,
in the Lower Danube Basin (Yurishinets and Kornyushin, 2001). We have found it in the
Lower Danube River and in watercourses of Transcarpathia, particularly in the old river-
bed of the Latorytsa River in 2010 (Pampura and Yanovich, 2012). In 2011, that species was
found not only in the main riverbed of the Latorytsa River (Solomonove and Chabanivka
villages) but also in its system of channels (Demechi village). S. woodiana was found in 7
study areas, 3 of them were rivers 4 were channels. It was the only species in the channel,
connected to the Latorytsa River (Demechi village, Zakarpattia Region). In other areas,
47Freshwater Mussels (Mollusca, Bivalvia, Unionidae) of the Danube River Basin of Ukraine
it co-existed with U. pictorum (in 5 biotopes), U. tumidus (6), U. crassus (1), P. compla-
nata (3), A. anatina (5), and A. cygnea (1) mollusks. Th e invasive species had the total
frequency of occurrence of 83 % in the Lower Danube River, and 20 % in the sub-basin
of the Tisa River.
Various species of freshwater mussels had diff erent population density and biomass in
the water bodies and watercourses of the Danube River Basin (table 6).
Th e analysis of density of U. pictorum populations showed that the mean density was
4.5 ind./m2, ranging from 1 to 8 ind./m2. Th e highest population density of that species,
7 and 8 ind./m2 was recorded in the sub-basin of the Tisa River (the Latorytsa River, the
new and old riverbeds, respectively), in Solomonove village, Zakarpattia Region. In the
same region, the lowest population density was observed for that species too. In the Lower
Danube River, that parameter was 2–3 ind./m2 (the Bazarchuk channel in Vylkove, Odesa
Region, and the Danube River also in Vylkove, respectively). Th e biomass of mollusks per
1 m2 of biotope was not high either, the mean biomass was 186.05 ± 44.16 g/m2 in the
Lower Danube River Basin.
Th e population density of U. tumidus did not signifi cantly diff er from the above-
mentioned, although the frequency of occurrence was higher. Th e mean density was only
5.27 ind./m2, in the range of 1–10 ind./m2. Th e maximum population density (7–10 ind./m2)
was recorded in the sub-basin of the Tisa River, namely in the Latorytsa River. In the Lower
Danube, that parameter ranged from 3 to 5 ind./m2. Notably, in the second half of XX cen-
tury, the density of U. tumidus population has been 80 ind./m2 in the Danube River Ba-
sin (Prut River) (Ivanchik, 1968). Th e species was able to sustain enormous populations
of 850 ind./m2 (the Siret River) (Ivanchik, 1968), or even 2680 ind./m2 (the Vovcha River)
(Gaidash, 1971). Currently the mean biomass of the species was 132.90 ± 23.34 g/m2 in the
river basin.
Th e population density of U. crassus was 25–416 ind./m2 in the Prut River Basin in
the middle of XX century (Ivanchik, 1959). Now, it became one of the lowest among the
Unionidae species in Ukraine (Shevchuk (Yanovych) et al., 2019). According to our data,
the highest density was recorded in the Danube River Basin (4.82 ± 1.48 ind./m2). Th e
maximum population density (15 ind./m2) was recorded only in 1 study area in the sub-
basin of the Tisa River (the Borzhava River, Vilkhivka village, Zakarpattia Region). In two
areas at the Latovytsa River (Stare Davydkove and Solomonove villages of Zakarpattia
Table 6. Mean (M), standard deviation (m) and range (min–max) of population density and
biomass of Unionidae in the Danube River Basin
Species of mollusk Number of
samples
Population density of mollusks,
ind./m2
Biomass of mollusks,
g/m2
М ± m
(min–max)
М ± m
(min – max)
U. pictorum 8 4.50 ± 0.98
(1–8)
186.05 ± 44.16
(60.24–292.70)
U. tumidus 11 5.27 ± 0.94
(1 – 10)
132.90 ± 23.34
(16.86 – 249.34)
U. crassus 11 4.82 ± 1.48
(1 – 15)
130.89 ± 25.50
(39.86 – 234.23)
A. anatina 12 4.50 ± 1.20
(1 – 15)
417.51 ± 52.15
(23.98 – 1531.92)
A. cygnea 1 1.00
(1)
–
P. complanata 7 1.14 ± 0.14
(1 – 2)
39.12 ± 8.69
(4.98 – 59.57)
S. woodiana 7 6.14 ± 0.705
(5 – 10)
797.54 ± 303.04
(378.28 – 2001.550)
48 L. Shevchuk, L. Vasilyeva, M. Taradajnyk, S. Mezhzherin
Region), 9–11 individuals of the species were recorded per 1 m2, which is one of the highest
indices for Ukraine. Th e mean biomass of U. crassus individuals was 130.89 ± 25.50 g/m2
in the Danube River Basin.
Although A.anatina is one of the most common species of Unionidae in the Da-
nube River Basin, its mean population density is low, 4.50±1.20 ind./m2. Th e maximum
density was only 15 ind./m2, recorded in a single study area in the sub-basin of the Tisa
River (a pond, Orikhovytsa village, Zakarpattia Region). Th e biomass of individuals was
417.51±52.15 g/m2 in the river basin, which is the highest for Ukraine (Yanovych, 2013)).
Th e highest biomass was recorded in a study area in the sub-basin of the Prut River, namely
in the Stalineshty River, Mamalyga village of Chernivtsi Region (1531.92 g/m2). Th e bio-
mass of A. anatina mollusks has been 1400 g/m2 in the Prut River basin in the middle of
XX century (Ivanchik, 1964).
А. сygnea was one of the rarest species under study, with the lowest frequency of oc-
currence and population density among the Unionidae of the Danube River. We found
only 1 individual of this species in the Lower Danube River (PMK channel, Vylkove town,
Odesa Region). Th at mollusk’s population density has been as high as 48 ind./m2 in the wa-
tercourses of the Ukrainian Carpathians in the second half of XX century (Ivanchik, 1967).
P. complanata was a species with the lowest population density among the freshwater
mussels in Ukraine and in the Danube River Basin particularly. We observed its maximum
population density (2 ind./m2) only in the Danube River (Lisky village, Odesa Region). In
other study areas the parameter was 1 ind./m2. Th e mean biomass in the Danube River
Basin was 39.12 ± 8.69 g/m2. Overall, the low abundance in populations of all European
Unionidae species in other waterbodies of the Danube River has been noted by other
researchers (Bódis et al., 2015).
In contrast, we found the maximum population density of S. woodiana, 10 ind./m2,
in a study area in the sub-basin of the Tisa River (the Latorytsa River, Chabanivka village,
Zakarpattia Region). In 2 other study areas (one of them also in the sub-basin of the Tisa
River, one in the Lower Danube River), 6 and 7 individuals per 1 m2 were found, respec-
tively. Th e mean biomass of invasive species S. woodiana was the highest of all recorded
values, 797.54 ± 303.04 g/m2). Th e biomass in a single study area was also the highest re-
corded (2001.55 g/m2) in the Latorytsa River (Solomonove village, Zakarpattia Region),
with the low density of 5 ind./m2. However, the biomass of 25 kg/m2 was observed in the
Konin lakes, Poland (Kraszewski, Zdanowski, 2001).
Conclusions
According to our results, Unio nidae mollusks were found in 23 of 50 study areas
(46 %) during the survey of the Danube River Basin in 2009–2011. Th e frequency of oc-
currence was 100 % in the Lower Danube River (5 study areas), 42 % in the sub-basin of
the Tisa River (31 study areas), 33.3 % in the sub-basin of Seret (3 study areas), 36 % in the
sub-basin of the Prut (11 study areas).
Th e Danube River Basin is the only river basin of Ukraine populated by 7 species
of freshwater mussels: U. pictorum, U. tumidus, U. crassus (here, sensu lato), A. anatina,
A. cygnea, P. сomplanatа and S. woodiana. Th e latter species is invasive.
Th e frequency of occurrence of freshwater mussels is low in the Danube River Basin:
U. pictorum, 16 %; U. tumidus, 22 %; U. crassus, 22 %; A. anatina, 24 %; A. cygnea, 2 %,
P. complanata, 14 %, and S. woodiana, 14 %. U. crassus is not found in the Lower Danube,
and A. cygnea is found only there. S. woodiana is found both in the Lower Danube and in
the sub-basin of the Tisa River (the frequency of occurrence is 83 and 20 %, respectively).
Th e mean values of population density of the studied species range from 1.00
(A. cygnea) to 6.14 ind./m2 (S. woodiana). Th e mean values of biomass ranged from 1.14
(P. сomplanatа) to 797.54 g/m2 (S. woodiana). Th us, maximum values of those parameters
are characteristic for the invasive species, the Chinese pond mussel.
49Freshwater Mussels (Mollusca, Bivalvia, Unionidae) of the Danube River Basin of Ukraine
References
Bartosh, A. A. 1938. Biology and reserves of pearl barley of the Kubnya River. Zap. o-va estestvoispy`tatelej pri
Kazan. un-te, 3/4, 69–94 [In Russian].
Bódis, E. 2008. Contribution to the macroinvertebrate fauna of the Hungarian Danube IV. Mussels (Bivalvia:
Corbiculidae, Dreissenidae, Sphaeriidae, Unionidae). Folia Historico-Naturalia Musei Matraensis, 32,
57–68.
Bódis, E., Nosek, J., Oertel, N., Tóth, B., Hornung, E., Sousa, R. 2011. Spatial distribution of bivalves in relation
to environmental conditions (Middle Danube catchment, Hungary). Community Ecology, 12, 210–219.
Bódis E., Tóth B., Sousa R. 2015. Freshwater mollusc assemblages and habitat associations in the Danube River
drainage, Hungary. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 26 (2), 319–322.
Dedyu, I. I., Mushchinsky, V. G. 1969. Composition and quantitative characteristics of the bottom fauna of
the Prut River. In: Limnologicheskie issledovaniya Dunaya. Naukova Dumka, Kiev, 299–303 [In Russian].
Cheremisina, V. T., Ivanchik, G. S. 1955. Density and growth rate of common pearl barley in the rivers of the
Chernivtsi region. Pratsi ekspedytsii Chernivetsk. un-tu, 1 (4), 142–149 [In Russian].
Gaidash, Yu. K. 1971. Distribution of molluscs in reservoirs salinized with mine waters. In: Mollyuski. Puti,
metody’ i itogi ikh izucheniya. Nauka, Leningrad, 98–99 [In Russian].
International studies of the Danube River. 2019. Available from: http://www.icpdr.org/main/activities-projects/
joint-danube-survey-1
Ivanchik, G. S. 1959. On the question of the ecological distribution of Unio crassus Retz. in the basins of
the Seret and Prut rivers. Fauna i zhivotny`j mir Sovetskikh Karpat: nauchny`e zapiski Uzhgorodskogo
gosudarstvennogo universiteta, 40, 345–349 [In Russian].
Ivanchik, G. S. 1964. Ecological and geographical characteristics of freshwater mollusks of the Soviet Carpathians
and the Prykarpattia. In: Tez. dokl. XX nauch. sessii Chernovicz. un-ta. Sekcziya biol. Nauk, 102–105 [In
Russian].
Ivanchik, G. S. 1967. Freshwater mollusks of the Ukrainian Carpathians. PhD Th esis, biol. sciences. Chernovczy,
1–22 [In Russian].
Ivanchik, G. S. 1968. Distribution and growth rate of Unionids in the upper reaches of the Dniester, Prut and
Seret rivers. Mollyuski i ikh rol’ v ekosistemakh : Avtoref. Dokladov, 3, 56–57 [In Russian].
Kornyushin, A. V., Lyashenko, A. V. 2004. Malakofauna of the lower reaches of the Danube within Ukraine.
Gidrobiologicheskij zhurnal, 40 (1), 3–19 [In Russian.]
Kraszewski, A., Zdanowski, B. 2001. Th e distribution and abundance of the Chinese mussel Anodonta woodiana
(Lea, 1834) in the heated Konin lakes. Archives of Polish Fisheries, 9 (2), 253–265.
Markovsky, Yu. M. 1955. Fauna of invertebrates in the lower reaches of the rivers of Ukraine, conditions of its
existence and ways of using. Part 3. Reservoirs of the Kiliya delta of the Danube. Izd-vo AN UkrSSR, Kiev,
1–280 [In Russian].
Mezhzherin, S. V., Yanovych, L. M., Zhalay, Y. I., Pampura, M. M., Vasilieva, L. A. 2013. Reproductive isolation
of two Unio crassus Philipsson, 1788 (Bivalvia, Unionidae) vicarious forms with low genetic diff erentiation
level. Dopovidi Natsionalnoi akademii nauk Ukrainy, 2, 138–143 [In Russian].
Pampura, M. M, Yanovich, L. M. 2012. New fi nd of Sinanodonta woodiana (Bivalvia, Unionidae) in the Danube
basin of Ukraine (morphobiological characteristics). Naukovyi visnyk Uzhhorodskoho universytetu. Seriia:
Biolohiia, 32, 145–149 [In Russian].
Polishchuk, V. V. 1974. Hydrofauna of the lower Danube within Ukraine. Naukova Dumka, Kiev, 11–331 [In
Ukrainian].
Polishchuk, V. V. 1977. Composition, geographical features and genesis of hydrofauna of water bodies of Ukraine.
Doctoral thesis in biology, Kiev, 125–126 [In Russian].
Popa, O. P., 2005. Contributions to the knowledge of the mollusks from the Romanian Sector of the Danube be-
tween Calafat and Olteniþa. Travaux du Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle. Grigore Antipa, 48, 7–19.
Sarkany-Kiss, A. 1997. Th e present-day situation of the Unionidae (Mollusca: Bivalvia) in the transylvanian
tributaries of the Tisa river (Romania). Travaux du Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle. Grigore
Antipa, 37, 213–224.
Sîrbu, I. 2006. Aspects concerning the distribution and ecology of the freshwater molluscs from the Romanian
Inner Carpathian Basin. Heldia. München, 6 (3–4), 115–134.
Sîrbu, I., Sîrbu, M., Benedek A. M. 2010. Th e freshwater mollusca fauna from Banat (Romania). Travaux du
Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle. Grigore Antipa, 53, 21–43.
Shevchuk (Yanovych), L. M., Vasilieva, L. A., Taradainyk (Pampura), M. M., Mezhzheryn, S. V. 2019. Justifi ca-
tion for the necessity of registrationin the Red Data Book of Ukraine the Unio crassus Philipsson, 1788
(Mollusca, Bivalvia, Unionidae). Biolohiia ta ekolohiia, 5 (2), 32–40 [In Ukrainian].
Shnarevich, I. D., Ivanchik, G. S. 1963. Distribution and industrial reserves of bivalve mollusks in the reservoirs
of the Carpathians and the possibility of their use in trout farming. In: Materialy do vyvchennia pryrod-
nykh resursiv Podillia. Vyd-vo Kremenetsk. ped. in-tu, Ternopil–Kremenets, 187–188 [In Ukrainian].
Stadnichenko, A. P. 1984. Fauna of Ukraine. Pearl. Ball (Unionidae, Cycladidae). Naukova Dumka, Kiev, 1–167
[In Russian].
50 L. Shevchuk, L. Vasilyeva, M. Taradajnyk, S. Mezhzherin
Tomović, Ј., Paunović, M., Atanacković, A., Marković, V., Gačić, Z., Csányi, B., Simić, V. 2014. Biotic Typology
of the Danube River Based on Distribution of Mollusc Fauna as Revealed by the Second Joint Danube
Survey. Acta zoologica bulgarica, 66 (4), 527–537.
Yanovych, L. M. 2013. Pearl Unionidae Rafi nesque, 1820 (Bivalvia) in modern ecological conditions of Ukraine
(state of populations, features of sexual structure and reproduction, biocoenotic connections and fauna).
Doctoral thesis in biology, Zhytomyr, 1–56 [In Ukrainian].
Yurishinets, V. I., Kornyushin A. V. 2001. A new species of bivalve mollusks Sinanodonta woodiana (Bivalvia,
Unionidae) for the fauna of Ukraine, its diagnostics and possible ways of introduction. Vestnik Zoologii,
35 (1), 79–84 [In Russian].
Zdun, V. I. 1960. To the fauna of mollusks in Transcarpathia. Naukovi zapysky naukovo-pryrodoznavchoho
muzeiu AN URSR, VIII, 83–94.
Zhadin, V. I. 1938. Fauna of the USSR. T. 4. Mollusks of the family Unionidae. Izd-vo AN UkrSSR, Moscow–
Leningrad, 1–167 [In Russian].
Received 14 September 2020
Accepted 5 January 2021
|
| id | oai:ojs.akademperiodyka.org.ua:article-115 |
| institution | Zoodiversity |
| issn | 2707-7268 |
| keywords_txt_mv | |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-08-21T01:00:55Z |
| publishDate | 2021 |
| publisher | Publishing House "Akademperiodyka" of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine |
| record_format | ojs |
| resource_txt_mv | ojsakademperiodykaorgua/53/debc56be846671a57acabeadec5df353.pdf |
| spelling | oai:ojs.akademperiodyka.org.ua:article-1152026-08-20T12:37:28Z Freshwater mussels (Mollusca, Bivalvia, Unionidae) of the Danube river basin of Ukraine Shevchuk, L. Vasilyeva, L. Taradajnyk, M. S. Mezhzherin Unionidae Danube river basin species composition frequency of occurrence population density biomass Despite the ongoing environmental problems, the basin of the Danube river is the least disturbed on the territory of Ukraine. Thus, its malacofauna is a nominal standard for the southern water systems of Central Europe. Particular attention is paid to freshwater mussels, which are indicator species and most of which are subject to special protection. During 2009-2011, 50 points of the Danube river basin were surveyed. In 23 of them, seven species of Unionidae were recorded: U. pictorum, U. tumidus, U. crassus s. lato, A. anatina, A. cygnea, P. сomplanatа and S. woodiana, which is an invasive species. The index of occurrence of freshwater mussels in general was 100% in the Lower Danube river (5 study areas), 42% in Tisa river (31 study areas), 33.3% in Seret river (3 study areas), 36% in Prut river (11 study areas). The index of occurrence of species was rather low: 24% of A. anatina, 22% of U.  tumidus, 22% of U. crassus,  16% of U. pictorum, 14% of P. complanata, 14% of S. woodiana, and 2% of A. cygnea. U. crassus was not found in the Lower Danube river, while A. cygnea was found only there outside the main watercourse. The invasive species S. woodiana occurred in the Lower Danube river and in the sub-basin of Tisa river (with 83% and 20% frequency, respectively. The mean values of population densities ranged from 1.00 (A. cygnea) to 6.14 ind./m2 (S. woodiana), and the mean biomass varied from 1.14 (P. сomplanatа) to 797.54 g/m2  (S. woodiana). In general, the composition of aboriginal malacofauna was stable, with a tendency to decreasing population densities Publishing House "Akademperiodyka" of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine 2021-01-04 Article Article application/pdf https://ojs.akademperiodyka.org.ua/index.php/Zoodiversity/article/view/115 10.15407/zoo2021.01.041 Zoodiversity; Vol. 55 No. 1 (2021): Zoodiversity Zoodiversity (Vestnik Zoologii); Том 55 № 1 (2021): Zoodiversity 2707-7268 2707-725X 10.15407/zoo2021.01 en https://ojs.akademperiodyka.org.ua/index.php/Zoodiversity/article/view/115/68 Copyright (c) 2021 L. Shevchuk, L. Vasilyeva, M. Taradajnyk, S. Mezhzherin |
| spellingShingle | Shevchuk, L. Vasilyeva, L. Taradajnyk, M. S. Mezhzherin Freshwater mussels (Mollusca, Bivalvia, Unionidae) of the Danube river basin of Ukraine |
| title | Freshwater mussels (Mollusca, Bivalvia, Unionidae) of the Danube river basin of Ukraine |
| title_full | Freshwater mussels (Mollusca, Bivalvia, Unionidae) of the Danube river basin of Ukraine |
| title_fullStr | Freshwater mussels (Mollusca, Bivalvia, Unionidae) of the Danube river basin of Ukraine |
| title_full_unstemmed | Freshwater mussels (Mollusca, Bivalvia, Unionidae) of the Danube river basin of Ukraine |
| title_short | Freshwater mussels (Mollusca, Bivalvia, Unionidae) of the Danube river basin of Ukraine |
| title_sort | freshwater mussels (mollusca, bivalvia, unionidae) of the danube river basin of ukraine |
| topic_facet | Unionidae Danube river basin species composition frequency of occurrence population density biomass |
| url | https://ojs.akademperiodyka.org.ua/index.php/Zoodiversity/article/view/115 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT shevchukl freshwatermusselsmolluscabivalviaunionidaeofthedanuberiverbasinofukraine AT vasilyeval freshwatermusselsmolluscabivalviaunionidaeofthedanuberiverbasinofukraine AT taradajnykm freshwatermusselsmolluscabivalviaunionidaeofthedanuberiverbasinofukraine AT smezhzherin freshwatermusselsmolluscabivalviaunionidaeofthedanuberiverbasinofukraine |