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Very little is known about the malacofauna in district Swat of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, situated in the Northern part of Pakistan. The Swat valley possesses a variety of suitable environmental conditions, providing different types of habitats for both flora and fauna. Taken into consideration these points, the present study was conducted to explore the terrestrial snails diversity in agricultural and non-agricultural fields in the lower Swat valley. A total of 417 shells were collected from three sites: Kokarai, Kanju Township, and Deolai. Based on conchological features, three families: Bradybaenidae, Hygromiidae, and Zonitidae were identified using different terrestrial snail keys. In Kokarai and Deolai, shells of members of all the above-mentioned families were found from agricultural fields. In Kanju Township, shells of members of the family Bradybaenidae and Zonitidae were found. From these findings, it was concluded that district Swat possesses a significant malacofauna which was unexplored before and aided more to the existing literature on malacofauna. It also supports the idea that the agroecosystem is rich in species diversity. Further in-depth and extensive study is recommended to be carried out for a detailed taxonomy of the described terrestrial gastropod families. Resumo Muito pouco se sabe sobre a malacofauna no distrito de Swat, na província de Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, situada na parte norte do Paquistão. O vale do Swat possui uma variedade de condições ambientais adequadas, proporcionando diferentes tipos de habitats para a flora e a fauna. Levando em consideração esses pontos, o presente estudo foi conduzido para explorar a diversidade dos caracóis terrestres em campos agrícolas e não agrícolas no vale inferior de Swat. Um total de 417 conchas foram coletadas em três locais: Kokarai, Kanju Township e Deolai. Com base em características concológicas, três famílias: Bradybaenidae, Hygromiidae e Zonitidae foram identificadas usando diferentes chaves de caramujos terrestres. Em Kokarai e Deolai, conchas de membros de todas as famílias mencionadas acima foram encontradas em campos agrícolas. No município de Kanju, foram encontradas conchas de membros da família Bradybaenidae e Zonitidae. A partir dessas constatações, concluiu-se que o distrito de Swat possui uma malacofauna significativa que antes era inexplorada e ajudava mais a literatura existente sobre a malacofauna. Também apoia a ideia de que o agroecossistema é rico em diversidade de espécies. Recomenda-se a realização de um estudo mais aprofundado e extenso para uma taxonomia detalhada das famílias de gastrópodes terrestres descritas.

Specimens of Aplysia punctata inhabiting the Catalonian coast (NE Spain, Western Mediterranean Sea) display two different color patterns, which have been thought to represent two distinct species. However, molecular analyses conducted by other authors and confirmed herein show that there are no genetic differences between individuals of the two color morphs. At the same time, these color morphs display distinct life history traits, including different size, mating behavior, and egg mass and larvae coloration. In this paper, it is hypothesized that distinct diets are responsible of these differences. The results of this study confirm that small red specimens of A. punctata feed on red algae and primarily Sphaerococcus coronopifolius and Plocamium cartilagineum; pigments from these algae give small specimens of A. punctata a very similar morphological appearance to adults of the Aplysia parvula species complex. In contrast, adult specimens of A. punctata feed preferentially on green algae of the species Ulva lactuca. This change in feeding behavior is probably related to defensive strategies involving camouflage. In addition, the egg masses take on a pink to reddish color that is retained in the larval stage of A. punctata juveniles.

46 pages, 6 figures, 1 table.-- This is study #7 of the GROC Association, Citizen (or community) science has provided copious and valuable information about charismatic marine taxa such as heterobranch gastropods, thus contributing enormously to the known geographic distribution of many sea slug species. This study reports new records of elusive sea slugs in the coastal western Mediterranean (especially on the Catalan and French Mediterranean coasts) and contributes to new ecological information regarding their phenology, diet and behaviour. Out of 39 species reported here, 23 are new records for the Catalan coast (NE Spain), three are new records of pelagic pteropods for the Spanish Iberian coast, and eight are new records for the French Mediterranean coast. With 25 species found active at night, this study highlights the importance of sampling at night and in shallow, often under-sampled waters with high species diversity. Shallow waters usually have less diving activity and are harder to survey with heavy scuba equipment. We believe that the high-quality photos herein and the related species information will enable researchers, divers and the community to find and recognise these rare species in the Mediterranean basin, Sampling was partially funded by the Artenvielfalt erforschen und retten Association (https://www.artenforschung.de/; Germany). [...] For J. Moles, a postdoctoral fellowship was supported by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (Germany)., With the institutional support of the ‘Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence’ accreditation (CEX2019-000928-S)

Se describe un nuevo geomítrido ibérico, Xerocrassa penalveri n.sp., que ha sido descubierto en Sierra Espuña en la Región de Murcia (SE España). Se caracteriza tanto a nivel conquiológico como del aparato reproductor además de la rádula y la mandíbula, y se compara con las especies de geomítridos más similares como Xerocrassa cobosi, X. edmundi y X. penchinati. Se realiza un estudio morfométrico de diversos órganos del aparato reproductor y de caracteres conquiológicos que permite su identificación. Estas especies de Xerocrassa se diferencian de X. penalveri n. sp. principalmente atendiendo a la concha y la genitalia. Además, se aporta un mapa de distribución geográfica de la nueva especie, donde se indica su localización en la Región de Murcia y en la península ibérica.

[EN] Chondrina Reichenbach, 1828 is a highly diverse genus of terrestrial molluscs currently including 44 species with about 28 subspecific taxa. It is distributed through North Africa, central and southern Europe, from Portugal in the West to the Caucasus and Asia Minor in the East. Approximately 70% of the species are endemic to the Iberian Peninsula constituting its main center of speciation with 34 species. This genus includes many micro endemic taxa, some of them not yet described, confined to limestone habitats (being strictly rock-dwelling species). They are distributed on rocky outcrops up to 2000 m.a.s.l. It is a genus of conical-fusiform snails that differ mainly in shell characters and in the number and position of teeth in their aperture. So far, molecular studies on Chondrina have been based exclusively on the mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase subunit I region (COI). These studies gave a first view of the phylogeny of the genus but many inner nodes were not statistically supported. The main objective of the study is to obtain a better understanding of the phylogeny and systematics of the genus Chondrina on the Iberian Peninsula, using multilocus molecular analysis. Partial sequences of the COI and 16S rRNA genes, as well as of the nuclear Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 (ITS1-5.8S) and Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 (5.8S-ITS2-28S) were obtained from individuals of all the extant Chondrina species known from the Iberian Peninsula. In addition to this, the newly obtained COI sequences were combined with those previously published in the GenBank. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred using maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods. The reconstructed phylogenies showed high values of support for more recent branches and basal nodes. Moreover, molecular species delimitation allowed to better define the studied species and check the presence of new taxa. This work was partially funded by the Basque Government through the Research group on “Systematics, Biogeography and Population Dynamics” (IT575-13) and “Systematics, Biogeography, Behavioural ecology and Evolution” (IT1163-19). E. Somoza Valdeolmillos was supported by a PhD fellowship awarded in 2015 by the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU).

Metallothioneins’ (MTs) biological function has been a matter of debate since their discovery. The importance to categorize these cysteine-rich proteins with high coordinating capacity into a specific group led to numerous classification proposals. We proposed a classification based on their metal-binding abilities, gradually sorting them from those with high selectivity towards Zn/Cd to those that are Cu-specific. However, the study of the NpeMT1 and NpeMT2isoforms of Nerita peloronta, has put a new perspective on this classification. N. peloronta has been chosen as a representative mollusk to elucidate the metal-binding abilities of Neritimorpha MTs, an order without any MTs characterized recently. Both isoforms have been recombinantly synthesized in cultures supplemented with ZnII, CdII, or CuII, and the purified metal–MT complexes have been thoroughly characterized by spectroscopic and spectrometric methods, leading to results that confirmed that Neritimorpha share Cd-selective MTs with Caenogastropoda and Heterobranchia, solving a so far unresolved question. NpeMTs show high coordinating preferences towards divalent metal ions, although one of them (NpeMT1) shares features with the so-called genuine Zn-thioneins, while the other (NpeMT2) exhibits a higher preference for Cd. The dissimilarities between the two isoforms let a window open to a new proposal of chemical MT classification.

Es fa una revisió de totes les cites d’Abida occidentalis a la península Ibèrica. S’estudien els antecedents històrics. L’espècie va ser citada en la dècada de 1980 de diverses localitats de Catalunya, Andorra i Navarra, i no havia tornat a citar-se. Es confirma que majoritàriament eren confusions amb d’altres espècies semblants del gènere, i que només es pot considerar vàlida la cita de Navarra d’Eikenboom (1990). Es proposa una redescripció de l’espècie i una clau dicotòmica per a diferenciar-ne els tàxons similars. review of all records of Abida occidentalis in the Iberian Peninsula is made. Historical background is studied. The species was cited in the 1980s in several localities in Catalonia, Andorra and Navarre, and had not been mentioned again. It is confirmed that they were mostly confused with other similar species of the genus, and that only the citation of Navarre by Eikenboom (1990) can be considered valid. A redescription of the species and a dichotomous key to differentiate similar taxa are proposed.

Es fa una revisió de totes les cites d’Abida occidentalis a la península Ibèrica. S’estudien els antecedents històrics. L’espècie va ser citada en la dècada de 1980 de diverses localitats de Catalunya, Andorra i Navarra, i no havia tornat a citar-se. Es confirma que majoritàriament eren confusions amb d’altres espècies semblants del gènere, i que només es pot considerar vàlida la cita de Navarra d’Eikenboom (1990). Es proposa una redescripció de l’espècie i una clau dicotòmica per a diferenciar-ne els tàxons similars. review of all records of Abida occidentalis in the Iberian Peninsula is made. Historical background is studied. The species was cited in the 1980s in several localities in Catalonia, Andorra and Navarre, and had not been mentioned again. It is confirmed that they were mostly confused with other similar species of the genus, and that only the citation of Navarre by Eikenboom (1990) can be considered valid. A redescription of the species and a dichotomous key to differentiate similar taxa are proposed.

Este trabalho trata sobre a revisao sistematica dos gastropodes representantes da familia Architectonicidae na Formacao Pirabas. Foi confirmada a sinonimia de Architectonica granulatum (Lamarck) e A . intraornatum (White) com A . nobilis Roding, assim como invalidar A . eudaidelum (Maury), por tambem ser sinonima de A . nobilis , especie tipicamente marinha neritica, de salinidade normal, anfi-americana, mais abundante em latitudes baixas e que teve expansao biogeografica continua a partir do Mioceno. A espessura de suas conchas, ambiente e modo de vida, bem como suas feicoes preservacionais e ocorrencia associada a litofacies biocalcirrudito sugerem que os exemplares frequentes nas camadas tipicas do ambiente lagunar da sequencia Pirabas/Barreiras sejam aloctones, tendo sido transportados a partir do ambiente marinho franco pelos canais de mare por meio de ondas de tempestade.

10 pages, 6 figures, 3 tables.-- This is an Ant-ECO (SCAR) contribution, Stable isotopes of C and N have been used to assess the effect of the duration of the sea ice season on the structure of benthic, Antarctic coastal food webs. Samples of suspended particulate organic matter, macroalgae and macroinvertebrates were collected at five subtidal rocky sites across a latitudinal gradient along the western Antarctic Peninsula and among the South Shetland Islands. We tested the hypotheses that trophic positions of omnivores decrease, and food web structure becomes more redundant at higher latitudes. A latitudinal shift in the isotope baseline was detected for both δ13C and δ15N, but the trophic positions of macroinvertebrates and their relative positions along the δ13C axis and were basically constant across sites, even after rescaling stable isotope ratios to account for shifts in the baseline. Although the northernmost and southernmost study sites differed significantly in most of the metrics of the food web structure, changes with latitude and the duration of the sea ice season were non-monotonic. Highly productive phytoplankton blooms during the ice-free season at Esperanza Bay and Rothera Point may explain the observed pattern, as they result in a massive supply of planktonic organic matter to the detritus bank in the seabed and, hence, shorten the C range and increase trophic redundancy. If this hypothesis is correct, the intensity of the summer phytoplankton bloom can be as relevant for the structure of the benthic marine food web as the duration of the sea ice season, Financial support was provided by grants from the Spanish Government (DISTANTCOM: CTM2013-42667/ANT, BLUEBIO: CTM2016-78901/ANT) to C.A. JM postdoctoral fellowship was supported by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (Germany), With funding from the Spanish government through the ‘Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence’ accreditation (CEX2019-000928-S)

Sampling impediments and paucity of suitable material for molecular analyses have precluded the study of speciation and radiation of deep-sea species in Antarctica. We analyzed barcodes together with genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms obtained from double digestion restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (ddRADseq) for species in the family Antarctophilinidae. We also reevaluated the fossil record associated with this taxon to provide further insights into the origin of the group. Novel approaches to identify distinctive genetic lineages, including unsupervised machine learning variational autoencoder plots, were used to establish species hypothesis frameworks. In this sense, three undescribed species and a complex of cryptic species were identified, suggesting allopatric speciation connected to geographic or bathymetric isolation. We further observed that the shallow waters around the Scotia Arc and on the continental shelf in the Weddell Sea present high endemism and diversity. In contrast, likely due to the glacial pressure during the Cenozoic, a deep-sea group with fewer species emerged expanding over great areas in the South-Atlantic Antarctic Ridge. Our study agrees on how diachronic paleoclimatic and current environmental factors shaped Antarctic communities both at the shallow and deep-sea levels, promoting Antarctica as the center of origin for numerous taxa such as gastropod mollusks Harvard University | Ref. NSF DEB-1754278 Fundación Ramón Areces | Ref. beca postdoctoral National Science Foundation | Ref. NSF ANT-1043749

Fire is a major agent involved in landscape transformation and an indirect cause of changes in species composition. Responses to fire may vary greatly depending on life histories and functional traits of species. We have examined the taxonomic and functional responses to fire of eight taxonomic animal groups displaying a gradient of dietary and mobility patterns: Gastropoda, Heteroptera, Formicidae, Coleoptera, Araneae, Orthoptera, Reptilia and Aves. The fieldwork was conducted in a Mediterranean protected area on 3 sites (one unburnt and two burnt with different postfire management practices) with five replicates per site. We collected information from 4606 specimens from 274 animal species. Similarity in species composition and abundance between areas was measured by the Bray-Curtis index and ANOSIM, and comparisons between animal and plant responses by Mantel tests. We analyze whether groups with the highest percentage of omnivorous species, these species being more generalist in their dietary habits, show weak responses to fire (i.e. more similarity between burnt and unburnt areas), and independent responses to changes in vegetation. We also explore how mobility, i.e. dispersal ability, influences responses to fire. Our results demonstrate that differences in species composition and abundance between burnt and unburnt areas differed among groups. We found a tendency towards presenting lower differences between areas for groups with higher percentages of omnivorous species. Moreover, taxa with a higher percentage of omnivorous species had significantly more independent responses of changes in vegetation. High- (e.g. Aves) and low-mobility (e.g. Gastropoda) groups had the strongest responses to fire (higher R scores of the ANOSIM); however, we failed to find a significant general pattern with all the groups according to their mobility. Our results partially support the idea that functional traits underlie the response of organisms to environmental changes caused by fire. This study was partially supported by the “Conveni de Collaboració per al desenvolupament del Pla de gestió integral per a la conservació dels sistemes naturals de la Xarxa de Parcs Naturals” signed by Obra Social La Caixa and the Diputació de Barcelona, and by the projects CGL2011-29539 and Consolider Montes CSD2008-00040 granted by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science (MEC). Xavier Santos is supported by a post-doctoral Grant (SFRH/BPD/73176/2010) from Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal).

Es presenta una actualització, comentada, de la llista dels mol·luscs (Gastropoda i Bivalvia) terrestres i d’aigua dolça de Catalunya i Andorra (península Ibèrica). S’hi recullen els nous tàxons (espècies i subespècies), les noves citacions, i els canvis taxonòmics i nomenclaturals que s’han dut a terme durant els darrers anys. També s’hi esmenten aquelles espècies que, tot i haver estat citades en llistes anteriors, actualment no es consideren presents dins l’àmbit d’estudi. Tots aquests canvis són justificats en detall. En total, es computen 357 tàxons: 332 espècies i subespècies de gastròpodes (302 comptant només les espècies) i 25 espècies de bivalves. La proporció de tàxons endèmics és del 16% (11% considerat només a nivell d’espècie), i el percentatge de tàxons introduïts és del 8% (9%). An updated, annotated list of terrestrial and freshwater molluscs (Gastropoda and Bivalvia) from Catalonia and Andorra (Iberian Peninsula) is presented. It includes new taxa (species and subspecies), new citations, and taxonomic and nomenclaturale changes that have taken place in recent years. It also mentions those species that, despite being mentioned in previous lists, are not currently considered present in the study area. All these changes are justified in detail. A total of 357 taxa are computed: 332 gastropod species and subspecies (302 when only species are counted) and 25 bivalve species. The proportion of endemic taxa is 16% (11% considered only at the species level), and the percentage of introduced taxa is 8% (9%).

Es descriu una nova espècie de moitessièrid (Mollusca: Gastropoda) d’un brollador de Monistrol de Calders (el Moianès, nord-est de la península Ibèrica), a partir de material conquiliològic obtingut mitjançant el triatge de sediments: Moitessieria canfalonensis sp. nov. Una combinació única de característiques conquiliològiques diferencia el nou tàxon de la resta d’espècies del gènere Moitessieria Bourguignat, 1863. new moitessieriid species (Mollusca: Gastropoda) is described from a spring of Monistrol de Calders (el Moianès, northeastern Iberian Peninsula) on the basis of conchological material obtained by sediment screening: Moitessieria canfalonensis sp. nov. A unique combination of conchological characteristics distinguishes the new taxon from other species of genus Moitessieria Bourguignat, 1863.

Records of aliens species are extremely important, as it indication the new distribution of individuals, helping in future mitigations. The objective is to report a new occurrence of the gastropod Melanoides tuberculata for the Brazilian Amazon region. Specimens were collected at the Praquiquara igarape, located in the middle Apeú river, municipality of Castanhal. This region is directly influenced by agricultural activities and mineral exploration areas, with agriculture and fish farming as its main activities. The individuals were manually sampled in July 2017 and fixed in 70% ethanol. In all, 1,970 were collected. It is estimated that the population density is 7,880 ind./m2, the length classes 10.52 and 16.36 mm correspond to 79.1% of the abundance. It was also found that 87% of the individuals are in their first stage of reproduction. The occurrence of M. tuberculata at Praquiquara igarape, can be restored, since they are still in the initial stage of colonization. Further studies are recommended to monitor the growth and dispersion of the population, in order to determine its real impact. Los registros de especies invasoras son extremadamente importantes, ya que muestra la nueva distribución de los individuos, lo que ayuda en futuras mitigaciones. El objetivo es reportar una nueva ocurrencia y un estado preliminar de la población de la especie Melanoides tuberculata para la región amazónica brasileña. Se recolectaron muestras en el igarapé Praquiquara, ubicado en la región media de Apeú, municipio de Castanhal. Esta región está directamente influenciada por las actividades agrícolas y las áreas de exploración minera, con la agricultura y la piscicultura como sus actividades principales. Los individuos fueron muestreados manualmente en julio de 2017 y fijados en etanol al 70%. En total, 1.970 fueron recolectados. Se estima que la densidad de población es de 7.880 ind./m2, con las clases de longitud 10.52 y 16.36 mm corresponden al 79.1% de la abundancia. También se encontró que el 87% de los individuos están en su primera etapa de reproducción. La aparición de M. tuberculata en el igarapé Praquiquara puede restaurarse, ya que todavía están en la etapa inicial de colonización. Se recomiendan más estudios para monitorear el crecimiento y la dispersión de la población, a fin de determinar su impacto real. Registros de espécies invasoras são extremamente importantes, pois através destes evidencia-se a nova distribuição dos indivíduos auxiliando em mitigações futuras. Objetiva-se relatar nova ocorrência da espécie Melanoides tuberculata para a região amazônica brasileira. Coletou-se exemplares no igarapé Praquiquara, situado na região do médio Apeú, município de Castanhal. Esta região sofre influência direta das atividades agrícolas, e das áreas de exploração mineral, tendo como principal atividades a agropecuária e piscicultura. Os indivíduos, foram amostrados manualmente em julho de 2017 e fixados em etanol 70%. Ao todo coletou-se 1.970. Estimando-se que a densidade populacional seja de 7.880 ind./m2. Distribuídas em 11 classes, variando entre 0,75 e 22,37 mm de comprimento. As classes de comprimento 10,52 e 16,36 mm correspondem a 79,1% da abundância. Constatou-se também que 87% dos indivíduos encontram-se em seu primeiro estágio de reprodução. A ocorrência de Melanoides tuberculata no igarapé Praquiquara, pode ser restituída, visto que ainda se encontram em estágio inicial de colonização. Recomenda-se novos estudos, que permitam monitorar o crescimento e a dispersão da população, para que se determine o seu real impacto.

The gastropod Littoraria angulifera (Littorinidae) is an exclusively estuarine mollusk with Neotropical anfiatlantic distribution. Recent studies indicate a possible use of the species as bioindicator. The aim of this study was to analyze the shell height, as well as to perform a morphometric analysis of the reproductive apparatus of L. angulifera collected in 22 sampling points located between latitudes 13º54'S and 15º44'S in the South Atlantic, State of Bahia, Northeastern Brazil. The specimens were obtained in different estuarine environments including mangroves, as well as on rocks and concrete walls in places close to ports, shipyards and berths during January and February 2014. All specimens (n = 880) were analyzed regarding the sex and shell height/morphology, 440 were analyzed about the reproductive apparatus morphometry and 15 in histological description. The average shell height of animals from artificial substrates in nautical areas was lower (p

Doris kyolis (Ev. Marcus and Er. Marcus, 1967) (Nudibranchia, Dorididae) has been reported in tropical and subtropical locations of the western Atlantic, from Florida, USA, to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Belmonte et al., 2015; Caballer- Gutiérrez et al., 2015). Throughout its distribution range, it has been frequently observed in interaction with sponges (Belmonte et al., 2015; Ortea et al., 2017) but there is no data of its density on the sponges from which it feeds. A recent study conducted in a southern Gulf of Mexico estuary (Laguna de Términos, Mexico) revealed that this nudibranch species is part of the associated macrofaunal assemblage with the sponge Halichondria (Halichondria) melanadocia Laubenfels, 1936 in seagrass meadows and red mangrove prop roots habitats (Ávila and Briceño-Vera, 2018). However, although D. kyolis was common in the samples of this sponge, basic aspects of its population dynamics, such as the small-scale spatial and temporal variation in its frequency of occurrence and density, have not been investigated. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine whether the frequency of occurrence and density of D. kyolis in association with H. (H.) melanadocia varies (i) between seagrass meadows and mangrove prop root habitats and (ii) throughout the year as a function of the sponge prey size and/or environmental factors, such as water temperature and salinity.

The natural products of heterobranch molluscs display a huge variability both in structure and in their bioactivity. Despite the considerable lack of information, it can be observed from the recent literature that this group of animals possesses an astonishing arsenal of molecules from different origins that provide the molluscs with potent chemicals that are ecologically and pharmacologically relevant. In this review, we analyze the bioactivity of more than 450 compounds from ca. 400 species of heterobranch molluscs that are useful for the snails to protect themselves in different ways and/or that may be useful to us because of their pharmacological activities. Their ecological activities include predator avoidance, toxicity, antimicrobials, antifouling, trail-following and alarm pheromones, sunscreens and UV protection, tissue regeneration, and others. The most studied ecological activity is predation avoidance, followed by toxicity. Their pharmacological activities consist of cytotoxicity and antitumoral activity; antibiotic, antiparasitic, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory activity; and activity against neurodegenerative diseases and others. The most studied pharmacological activities are cytotoxicity and anticancer activities, followed by antibiotic activity. Overall, it can be observed that heterobranch molluscs are extremely interesting in regard to the study of marine natural products in terms of both chemical ecology and biotechnology studies, providing many leads for further detailed research in these fields in the near future.

Rapana venosa (Valenciennes, 1846) is a predator of bivalves, native to Eastern Asia. It was first recorded outside of its native distribution in 1946 in the Black Sea, and has since invaded estuarine and marine waters worldwide. The present findings increase the known geographic distribution of reproducing populations that are distinct from the native population to eight regions: Black, Adriatic and Aegean seas, the coast of Brittany, the coast of the Netherlands, Chesapeake Bay, La Plata River estuary in Argentina-Uruguay and the southern Brazilian coast (present study). We present the first records of R. venosa in the southernmost Brazilian coast (between Hermenegildo and Cassino Beaches, RS), based on opercula, clusters of egg capsules, juvenile and adult shells, complete individuals with soft parts, and one as an epibiont associated with the green sea turtle Chelonia mydas (Linnaeus, 1758). Most of the specimens were found along the Cassino beach, close to the mouth of the Patos Lagoon estuary (about 32ºS). Despite the highly variable salinity in the estuarine area, R. venosa was able to invade this area, probably due to its high fecundity and fertility, fast growth rate and high tolerance to salinity and temperature variations, all characteristics of a successful invader. The presence of this species further to the north (about 800 km) of the La Plata River estuary shows that it is dispersing along the southwestern Atlantic. Its interaction with green turtles may be of global importance for the conservation of green turtles, given the observed potential for dispersal using turtle carapaces, which may affect their swimming and feeding.

Aquatic habitats have been highly modified by human actions that reduce their native diversity and create conditions suitable for tolerant alien species. Pomacea maculata was detected in 2009 in both the alluvial plain and the final stretch of the Ebro River. Since then, a permanent population has stabilized in the littoral area of the river where the water level fluctuates according to the river discharge. Melanopsis tricarinata is an endemic snail species highly affected by the reduction in its natural habitat. Currently, the two species do not share the same reaches in the river, but the possibility exists, as the distribution of the P. maculata is constantly increasing. This study aims to analyse the diets and to assess the responses of both snails to global change. The diet of both species was analysed in the field and their responses to water warming and dryness compared under laboratory conditions. This study includes the calculation of future river water temperatures based on air temperature projections. In addition, based on water discharge management scenarios, the study estimated the increase in dry river bed area. The diet of both snail species was similar and based on Cladophora. P. maculata better resisted high temperatures and dry conditions than M. tricarinata. The projections of water temperatures showed an increase in daily temperatures, especially in summer. The hydraulic model suggested that a relevant increase in dry river bed areas will occur. Overall, these results provide insight into the global change factors that could favour P. maculata spread in the river and the reduction in suitable habitat for M. tricarinata and will be useful for future decisions of water discharge management.

Age and growth of two populations of Pugilina cochlidium were studied. to address the lack of basic information on the growth rates and the size at sexual maturity of organism in a commercially harvested area, which will be important in considering the size limits to conserve this resources in future. In the present study the results showed more or less similar growth patterns in the males and females of two populations of Pugilina cochlidium. The age and growth estimation of these two populations of Pugilina cochlidium were completed using several methods and the outcome of one method will act as a check and control over the other using the FISAT 1 software. The values of asymptotic length (Lα) values obtained in the present study using various methods did not vary greatly. Lα values obtained for the first population of Pugilina cochlidium was 95.55 mm for males and 106.05 mm for females and the growth rate (K) for males (0.588 yr-1) and females (0.620 yr-1) was given by k-scan routine in ELEFAN. Similarly, the values of asymptotic length (Lα), obtained for second population of Pugilina cochlidium, was 96.15 mm for males and 106.05 mm for females and the growth rate (K) for males (0.540 yr-1) and females (0.950 yr-1) was given by k-scan routine in ELEFAN. Resumo A idade e o crescimento de duas populações de Pugilina cochlidium foram estudados. abordar a falta de informações básicas sobre as taxas de crescimento e o tamanho na maturidade sexual do organismo em uma área comercialmente colhida, o que será importante considerando os limites de tamanho para conservar esses recursos no futuro. No presente estudo os resultados mostraram padrões de crescimento mais ou menos semelhantes nos machos e fêmeas de duas populações de Pugilina cochlidium. A idade e a estimativa de crescimento destas duas populações de Pugilina cochlidium foram completadas usando vários métodos e o resultado de um método funcionará como uma verificação e controle sobre o outro usando o software FISAT 1. Os valores de comprimento assintótico (Lα) obtidos no presente estudo usando vários métodos não variaram muito. Os valores de Lα obtidos para a primeira população de Pugilina cochlidium foram de 95,55 mm para machos e 106,05 mm para fêmeas e a taxa de crescimento (K) para machos (0,588 yr-1) e fêmeas (0,620 yr-1) foi dada pela rotina k-scan na ELEFAN. Similarmente, os valores de comprimento assintótico (Lα), obtidos para a segunda população de Pugilina cochlidium, foram 96,15 mm para machos e 106,05 mm para fêmeas e a taxa de crescimento (K) para machos (0,540 anos) e fêmeas (0,950 anos). 1) foi dado pela rotina de k-scan na ELEFAN.

O filo Mollusca tem oito classes predominantemente marinhas, os Gastrópodes e Bivalves se alastraram para água doce e apenas os Gastrópodes adaptaram ao ambiente terrestre. Ambas merecem destaque por terem espécies usadas para atividades econômica, na culinária “Escargot”, produção de pérola e artesanato com suas conchas. Outras espécies têm interesse ambiental por serem exóticas, causando perda de biodiversidade e devastação agrícola. Alguns moluscos têm importância epidemiológica, afetando animais domésticos e o ser humano. É indispensável a identificação da Malacofauna de uma localidade para medidas de promoção, prevenção e contenção. Tendo isso como intuito, foi realizada a coleta do filo em seis estações no município de Juína - MT, entre os meses de janeiro a março de 2015, obtendo o montante de 3.279 espécimes, destas 81,2% são de ambiente terrestre e 18,8% aquático. Posteriormente foram encaminhados para dois laboratórios para as identificações, constatando-se que 1,9% pertencem à classe Bivalves, identificadas duas espécies e 98,1% incubem a classe Gastrópodes, com doze espécies identificadas.

Aim The aim of this study was to survey the species of molluscs and to evaluate the effect of exotic species on the native mollusks of three reservoirs in the Pajeú Basin Cachoeira II, Jazigo and Serrinha. Methods Sampling was carried out with trawl net (5 mm mesh opening) and hand net (2 mm mesh opening). Results and conclusions Were quantified 60,244 specimens, distributed among the species Melanoides tuberculata (49,398), Pomacea lineata (573), Biomphalaria straminea (376) and Physa marmorata (01). The invasive exotic species M. tuberculata was dominant in all reservoirs with a relative abundance greater than 85% and the other species were classified as occasional and rare, with emphasis in Physa marmorata that is present in the red list of species vulnerable to extinction. Regarding the frequency of occurrence, all species were classified as euconstant (occurrence greater than 65%), except P. lineata and P. marmorata, which were classified as ancillary (occurrence less than 40%). Among the species, M. tuberculata were the highest average density (1,636 ind.m-2) in Serrinha reservoir, showed a strong adaptation to the environmental conditions, due to its high dominance in all the reservoirs, being probably the main cause for the low diversity and density indices of native molluscs. Since P. marmorata presented low density and frequency, becoming an important point to be investigated as possible species impaired by the dominance of M. tuberculata. Resumo Objetivo O objetivo do presente estudo foi realizar um levantamento das espécies de moluscos e avaliar o efeito de espécies exóticas sobre os moluscos nativos de três reservatórios da Bacia do Pajeú - Cachoeira II, Jazigo e Serrinha. Métodos A amostragem foi realizada com rede de arrasto (abertura de malha de 5 mm) e puçá (abertura de malha 2 mm). Resultados e conclusões Foram quantificados 60.244 exemplares, distribuídos entre as espécies Melanoides tuberculata (49.398), Pomacea lineata (573), Biomphalaria straminea (376) e Physa marmorata (01). A espécie exótica invasora M. tuberculata foi dominante em todos os reservatórios com abundância relativa superior a 85%, as demais espécies foram classificadas como ocasionais e raras com destaque para Physa marmorata que está presente na lista vermelha de espécies vulneráveis a extinção. Quanto à frequência de ocorrência, todas as espécies foram classificadas como euconstantes (ocorrência superior a 65%), exceto P. lineata e P. marmorata que foram classificadas como acessórias (ocorrência inferior a 40%). Dentre as espécies, M. tuberculata apresentou a maior densidade média (1.636 ind.m-2) no reservatório Serrinha, demonstrando forte adaptação às condições ambientais, devido sua alta dominância em todos os reservatórios, sendo provavelmente a principal causa pelos baixos índices de diversidade e densidade dos moluscos nativos. Uma vez que P. marmorata apresentou baixa densidade e frequência, tornando-se um ponto importante a ser investigado como possível espécie prejudicada pela dominância do M. tuberculata.

The knowledge of the extent of DNA damage in aquatic organisms in polluted areas is an important issue because contamination may alter their health at sublethal levels. Although molluscs have been widely used to monitor water pollution, there are no records of in vivo genotoxicity studies. Heleobia cf. australis, is distributed in almost all Uruguayan coastal ecosystems, including highly polluted sites. The comet assay is a damage genetic biomarker based on the migration of negatively charged DNA fragments produced by mutagenic agents in individual cells. Live individuals were collected in the Montevideo Bay (impacted area) and Laguna Garzón (control) to analyze the presence of mutagenic agents in the former site through comet assay. Cells from organisms of the impacted area showed significantly higher levels of genetic damage than those obtained in the control population, measured by percentage of DNA in the tail. Although preliminary, this approach supports the idea that H. cf. australis could be used as a sentinel to evaluate the presence of mutagenic agents in estuarine environments, alerting to the impact of contamination in its early stages. ResumoO conhecimento dos danos no DNA em organismos aquáticos de áreas poluídas é uma questão importante, já que a contaminação pode vir a alterar os organismos em níveis subletais. Apesar dos moluscos terem sido amplamente utilizados para monitorar a poluição da água, não há registros de estudos in vivo de genotoxicidade. Heleobia cf. australis é um pequeno gastrópode amplamente distribuído em quase todos os ecossistemas costeiros uruguaios, inclusive em locais altamente poluídos. O ensaio do cometa é um biomarcador genético do dano baseado na migração de fragmentos de DNA com carga negativa produzidas por agentes mutagênicos. Foram coletados indivíduos vivos na Baía de Montevidéu (área impactada) e Laguna Garzón (área controle) para analisar a presença de agentes mutagênicos que ocasionassem dano genético. Células de organismos da área impactada apresentaram níveis significativamente mais elevados de danos genéticos do que os obtidos na área controle. Esse nível de dano foi medido pela porcentagem de DNA na cauda. Embora preliminar, esta abordagem apoia a noção de que H. cf. australispoderia ser usado como sentinela para avaliar a presença de agentes mutagênicos em ambientes estuarinos, alertando sobre o impacto da poluição em estágios iniciais.