Velesunio wilsonii: Difference between revisions
ShortDescBot (talk | contribs) ShortDescBot adding short description "Species of bivalve" |
Added more to 'short description', 'Biology and ecology', and 'Distribution'. Created sections 'Habitat', 'Evolution' and 'Threats'. Added a distribution map and one photo. |
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* ''Unio (Alasmodon) stuarti'' Adams & Angas, 1864 |
* ''Unio (Alasmodon) stuarti'' Adams & Angas, 1864 |
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* ''Centralhyria wilsonii caurina'' Iredale, 1934. |
* ''Centralhyria wilsonii caurina'' Iredale, 1934. |
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}}[[File:Map_of_Velesunio_wilsonii_distribution.png|thumb|Distribution map of ''Velesunio wilsonii'' in Australia.]]'''''Velesunio wilsonii''''' is a species of [[freshwater mussel]] endemic to [[Australia]] and comes from the [[Hyriidae]] family (phylum: [[Mollusca]]) <ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Gooderham |first=John |title=The Waterbug book: A Guide to the Freshwater Macroinvertebrates of Temperate Australia |last2=Tsyrlin |first2=Edward |publisher=CSIRO Publishing |year=2002 |isbn=0-643-09971-9 |location=Collingwood, Victoria}}</ref>. ''Velesunio wilsonii'' mussels have a thick, dark shell that are sometimes flaky and mostly closed <ref name=":0" />. ''Velesunio wilsonii'' have a fleshy foot that sometimes extends outside of the valves <ref name=":0" />. The shell of the ''Velesunio wilsonii'' varies from oblong to a symmetrical circle <ref name=":0" />. ''Velesunio wilsonii'' size ranges from 40 mm to 120 mm <ref name=":0" />. |
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'''''Velesunio wilsonii''''' is a species of [[freshwater mussel]] endemic to [[Australia]]. |
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== Biology and ecology == |
== Biology and ecology == |
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[[Reproduction]] in ''Velesunio'' ''wilsonii'' generally involves the male mussels releasing [[sperm]] that females take up to [[Fertilisation|fertilize]] their eggs <ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Walker |first=K. F. |date=2016-07-18 |title=Reproductive phenology of river and lake populations of freshwater mussels (Unionida: Hyriidae) in the River Murray |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13235818.2016.1206166 |journal=Molluscan Research |volume=37 |issue=1 |pages=31–44 |doi=10.1080/13235818.2016.1206166 |issn=1323-5818}}</ref>. Once fertilized, the [[Embryo|embryos]] develop within the females’ gills <ref name=":1" />. These develop into [[Larva|larvae]] (glochidia), which then attach to the gills or fins of native [[fish]], acting [[Parasitism|parasitic]] <ref name=":2" />. They remain attached to the fish by hooks until they have [[Metamorphosis|metamorphosed]] into juvenile mussels <ref name=":1" /> with siphon structures that allow them to feed <ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=Bauer |first=G |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/44266465 |title=Ecology and Evolution of the Freshwater Mussels Unionoida |last2=Wächtler |first2=K |date=2001 |publisher=Springer |others= |isbn=978-3-642-63140-5 |location=Berlin |oclc=44266465}}</ref>. ''Velesunio'' ''wilsonii'' siphon water into these structures and [[Filter feeder|filter-feed]], filtering out [[algae]] and [[Nutrient|nutrients]] <ref name=":0" />. Once fully developed, ''Velesunio'' ''wilsonii'' live in the [[sediment]] of rivers and [[Floodplain|floodplains]] and remain relatively sedentary throughout their life <ref name=":0" />. Due to their ability to tolerate changing environmental conditions, ''Velesunio'' ''wilsonii'' can live for a long period of time <ref name=":4" />.[[File:Velesunio_wilsonii.png|thumb|''Velesunio wilsonii'' shell |
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''Velesunio wilsonii'' is able to aestivate for up to 5 years.{{cn|date=June 2018}} |
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|left]] |
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[[Biological dispersal|Dispersal]] of ''Velesunio'' ''wilsonii'' mussels in adult stages is limited and they remain mostly sedentary <ref name=":4" />. However, it has been suggested that mussels from the ''Velesunio'' genus are dispersed when attached to the fish in their larvae stage <ref name=":4" />. This may explain the large range of ''Velesunio'' ''wilsonii'' within Australia <ref name=":4" />. |
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== Distribution == |
== Distribution == |
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''Velesunio wilsonii'' can be found in the [[Northern Territory]], [[Western Australia]], [[Queensland]] and northern [[New South Wales]].<ref>W. F. Ponder, A. Hallan, M. Shea, S. A. Clark (2016). [http://keys.lucidcentral.org/keys/v3/freshwater_molluscs/Freshwater_Oct18/Media/Html/velesunio_wilsoni.htm ''Australian Freshwater Molluscs'']. Australian Museum. Accessed June 2018.</ref> |
''Velesunio'' ''wilsonii'' mussels are distributed throughout several areas of Australia <ref name=":4">{{Cite journal |last=Hughes |first=Jane |last2=Baker |first2=Andrew M. |last3=Bartlett |first3=Christopher |last4=Bunn |first4=Stuart |last5=Goudkamp |first5=Katrina |last6=Somerville |first6=Jemma |date=2004-10-14 |title=Past and present patterns of connectivity among populations of four cryptic species of freshwater mussels Velesunio spp. (Hyriidae) in central Australia: CONNECTIVITY AMONG FRESHWATER MUSSELS |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-294X.2004.02305.x |journal=Molecular Ecology |language=en |volume=13 |issue=10 |pages=3197–3212 |doi=10.1111/j.1365-294X.2004.02305.x}}</ref>. ''Velesunio wilsonii'' can be found in the [[Northern Territory]], [[Western Australia]], [[Queensland]], northeast of [[South Australia]] and northern [[New South Wales]].<ref>W. F. Ponder, A. Hallan, M. Shea, S. A. Clark (2016). [http://keys.lucidcentral.org/keys/v3/freshwater_molluscs/Freshwater_Oct18/Media/Html/velesunio_wilsoni.htm ''Australian Freshwater Molluscs'']. Australian Museum. Accessed June 2018.</ref>. There are no records of ''Velesunio wilsonii'' in [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]] or [[Tasmania]] <ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Australian Freshwater Molluscs |url=https://keys.lucidcentral.org/keys/v3/freshwater_molluscs/ |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=keys.lucidcentral.org}}</ref>. |
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== Habitat == |
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''Velesunio'' ''wilsonii'' occurs in lowland floodplain ecosystems, including [[Billabong|billabongs]], temporary and episodic [[Stream|streams]] <ref name=":3" />, [[irrigation]] canals and farm [[Dam|dams]] <ref name=":0" />. ''Velesunio'' ''wilsonii'' live partially buried in fine sediments such as sand and mud <ref name=":0" />. When buried and their shell is closed, ''Velesunio'' ''wilsonii'' can survive in [[drought]] conditions, high temperatures and low levels of [[oxygen]] <ref name=":3" />, allowing them to inhabit a wide range of [[ecosystem]] types <ref name=":0" />. |
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== Evolution == |
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''Velesunio'' ''wilsonii'' come from one of two classes of molluscs that have successfully inhabited freshwater ecosystems <ref name=":0" />. All other mollusc classes remain in [[Marine ecosystem|marine ecosystems]] <ref name=":0" />. [[Bivalvia|Bivalve]] molluscs evolved in marine ecosystems before slowly moving into estuaries and inhabiting upstream freshwater habitats, evolving to tolerate lower [[salinity]] levels <ref name=":0" />. ''Velesunio'' ''wilsonii'' is an example of this evolution <ref name=":0" />. |
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== Threats == |
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''Velesunio'' ''wilsonii'' mussels are threatened with changes to biotic and abiotic conditions of lowland river ecosystems <ref name=":5">{{Cite journal |last=Walker |first=Keith F. |last2=Jones |first2=Hugh A. |last3=Klunzinger |first3=Michael W. |date=2013 |title=Bivalves in a bottleneck: taxonomy, phylogeography and conservation of freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionoida) in Australasia |url=http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10750-013-1522-9 |journal=Hydrobiologia |language=en |volume=735 |issue=1 |pages=61–79 |doi=10.1007/s10750-013-1522-9 |issn=0018-8158 |via=ProQuest Central}}</ref>. Changes to flow regimes through dam and [[weir]] construction may limit the ability of [[Host (biology)|host]] fish to disperse, limiting the dispersal of ''Velesunio'' ''wilsonii'' larvae <ref name=":5" />. Changes to flow regime may also affect the [[ecology]] of the host fish, causing host fish populations to decline <ref name=":5" />. Increased [[erosion]], [[sedimentation]] and pollutant [[Surface runoff|runoff]] may also affect the survival of ''Velesunio'' ''wilsonii'', affecting the water quality of floodplains <ref name=":5" />. |
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== References == |
== References == |
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{{Reflist}} |
{{Reflist}} |
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Revision as of 11:50, 13 June 2022
| Velesunio wilsonii | |
|---|---|
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| Velesunio wilsonii from the Ross River, Townsville, Queensland, Australia | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Bivalvia |
| Order: | Unionida |
| Family: | Hyriidae |
| Genus: | Velesunio |
| Species: | V. wilsonii
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| Binomial name | |
| Velesunio wilsonii (Lea, 1859)
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| Synonyms | |
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Velesunio wilsonii is a species of freshwater mussel endemic to Australia and comes from the Hyriidae family (phylum: Mollusca) [1]. Velesunio wilsonii mussels have a thick, dark shell that are sometimes flaky and mostly closed [1]. Velesunio wilsonii have a fleshy foot that sometimes extends outside of the valves [1]. The shell of the Velesunio wilsonii varies from oblong to a symmetrical circle [1]. Velesunio wilsonii size ranges from 40 mm to 120 mm [1].
Biology and ecology
Reproduction in Velesunio wilsonii generally involves the male mussels releasing sperm that females take up to fertilize their eggs [2]. Once fertilized, the embryos develop within the females’ gills [2]. These develop into larvae (glochidia), which then attach to the gills or fins of native fish, acting parasitic [3]. They remain attached to the fish by hooks until they have metamorphosed into juvenile mussels [2] with siphon structures that allow them to feed [4]. Velesunio wilsonii siphon water into these structures and filter-feed, filtering out algae and nutrients [1]. Once fully developed, Velesunio wilsonii live in the sediment of rivers and floodplains and remain relatively sedentary throughout their life [1]. Due to their ability to tolerate changing environmental conditions, Velesunio wilsonii can live for a long period of time [5].
Dispersal of Velesunio wilsonii mussels in adult stages is limited and they remain mostly sedentary [5]. However, it has been suggested that mussels from the Velesunio genus are dispersed when attached to the fish in their larvae stage [5]. This may explain the large range of Velesunio wilsonii within Australia [5].
Distribution
Velesunio wilsonii mussels are distributed throughout several areas of Australia [5]. Velesunio wilsonii can be found in the Northern Territory, Western Australia, Queensland, northeast of South Australia and northern New South Wales.[6]. There are no records of Velesunio wilsonii in Victoria or Tasmania [3].
Habitat
Velesunio wilsonii occurs in lowland floodplain ecosystems, including billabongs, temporary and episodic streams [4], irrigation canals and farm dams [1]. Velesunio wilsonii live partially buried in fine sediments such as sand and mud [1]. When buried and their shell is closed, Velesunio wilsonii can survive in drought conditions, high temperatures and low levels of oxygen [4], allowing them to inhabit a wide range of ecosystem types [1].
Evolution
Velesunio wilsonii come from one of two classes of molluscs that have successfully inhabited freshwater ecosystems [1]. All other mollusc classes remain in marine ecosystems [1]. Bivalve molluscs evolved in marine ecosystems before slowly moving into estuaries and inhabiting upstream freshwater habitats, evolving to tolerate lower salinity levels [1]. Velesunio wilsonii is an example of this evolution [1].
Threats
Velesunio wilsonii mussels are threatened with changes to biotic and abiotic conditions of lowland river ecosystems [7]. Changes to flow regimes through dam and weir construction may limit the ability of host fish to disperse, limiting the dispersal of Velesunio wilsonii larvae [7]. Changes to flow regime may also affect the ecology of the host fish, causing host fish populations to decline [7]. Increased erosion, sedimentation and pollutant runoff may also affect the survival of Velesunio wilsonii, affecting the water quality of floodplains [7].
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Gooderham, John; Tsyrlin, Edward (2002). The Waterbug book: A Guide to the Freshwater Macroinvertebrates of Temperate Australia. Collingwood, Victoria: CSIRO Publishing. ISBN 0-643-09971-9.
- ^ a b c Walker, K. F. (2016-07-18). "Reproductive phenology of river and lake populations of freshwater mussels (Unionida: Hyriidae) in the River Murray". Molluscan Research. 37 (1): 31–44. doi:10.1080/13235818.2016.1206166. ISSN 1323-5818.
- ^ a b "Australian Freshwater Molluscs". keys.lucidcentral.org. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
- ^ a b c Bauer, G; Wächtler, K (2001). Ecology and Evolution of the Freshwater Mussels Unionoida. Berlin: Springer. ISBN 978-3-642-63140-5. OCLC 44266465.
- ^ a b c d e Hughes, Jane; Baker, Andrew M.; Bartlett, Christopher; Bunn, Stuart; Goudkamp, Katrina; Somerville, Jemma (2004-10-14). "Past and present patterns of connectivity among populations of four cryptic species of freshwater mussels Velesunio spp. (Hyriidae) in central Australia: CONNECTIVITY AMONG FRESHWATER MUSSELS". Molecular Ecology. 13 (10): 3197–3212. doi:10.1111/j.1365-294X.2004.02305.x.
- ^ W. F. Ponder, A. Hallan, M. Shea, S. A. Clark (2016). Australian Freshwater Molluscs. Australian Museum. Accessed June 2018.
- ^ a b c d Walker, Keith F.; Jones, Hugh A.; Klunzinger, Michael W. (2013). "Bivalves in a bottleneck: taxonomy, phylogeography and conservation of freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionoida) in Australasia". Hydrobiologia. 735 (1): 61–79. doi:10.1007/s10750-013-1522-9. ISSN 0018-8158 – via ProQuest Central.
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