World Congress of Malacology Antwerp ... - Unitas Malacologica

econstructions based on two different markers were performed. It was found that Cyphoma
gibbosum is the most common ovulid species in Curaçao. Cymbovula acicularis, Simnia uniplicata
and Cyphoma signatum were significantly less common. We found that C. gibbosum is a generalist
predator, occurring with 21 of the 49 Octocorallia species recorded, which are classified in 9 genera.
Both C. acicularis and S. uniplicata showed a preference for only two host genera, viz.
Pseudopterogorgia and Gorgonia. The molecular analyses showed a paraphyly for the genus Simnia
sensu auct. When our molecular data are analysed in combination with sequences of Indo-Pacific
Ovulidae, obtained from GenBank, it turns out that there is a well-supported dichotomy between the
Indo-Pacific and the Atlantic ovulid species.
A morphologic, ecologic and molecular analysis of the freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionidae)
from Portugal (western Iberian Peninsula)
Reis, Joaquim 1 ; Machordom, Annie 2 ; Araujo, Rafael 2
1. Centro de Biologia Ambiental, Departamento de Biologia Ambiental, Faculdade de Ciências da
Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal,
2. Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, José Gutiérrez Abascal, 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain
Email: joaqreis@gmail.com
European Unionid diversity is in need for revision since Haas’ work in the twentieth century. The use
of new techniques such as molecular analyses and the integration of various information sources is
essential to clarify many controversial issues. Here we use such an approach to the western limit of
Unionid distribution in Europe.
A comprehensive sampling of 21 river basins in Portugal was done between 2001 and 2006. Unionids
were found in 138 sites from 51 rivers or streams. Morphologic characters were analyzed and
compared to previous descriptions as well as with other European regions. Geographic and ecological
traits in morphology were noted. Phylogenetic analysis based on the mitochondrial genes 16S and
COI were performed using representative populations of each putative species. We identified five
good species: Anodonta anatina, A. cygnea, Potomida littoralis, U. cf. pictorum and the endemic
Unio tumidiformis. The morphology of the hinge area, umbo sculpture and glochidia were the most
useful characters to distinguish between species. Shell shape was found to be useful but not reliable.
Morphometric measures showed to be very useful to distinguish between live specimens of the two
Unio species. Several ecological morphotypes within P. littoralis and U. cf. pictorum were found, but
had no genetic expression. Two genetic lineages of A. anatina were found, one occurring in the
Guadiana and Sado basins and another in the northern basins. The phylogenetic and evolutionary
relationships of the taxa between themselves and with others outside the study area are discussed.
Based on the relationships of Iberian and central European Anodonta anatina and Unio spp. we think
that at least two colonization events of the Iberian Peninsula must have taken place. We hypothesize
that A. cygnea might be a recent introduction because it showed no differentiation regarding central
European populations and was found to be very localized.
Unio tumidiformis Castro 1885: A highly endangered endemic species (Bivalvia: Unionidae)
from the south-western Iberian Peninsula
Reis, Joaquim 1 ; Araujo, Rafael 2
1. Centro de Biologia Ambiental, Departamento de Biologia Ambiental, Faculdade de Ciências da
Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal,
Email: joaqreis@gmail.com
2.Museo Nacional derafael@mncn.csic.es
Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, José Gutiérrez Abascal, 2. 28006 Madrid, Spain
Email: rafael@mncn.csic.es
The family Unionidae is highly threatned worldwide, constituting the most endangered animal group
in the United States. In Europe several endangered species were recognized (Margaritifera
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