title: Pearl mussels (Margaritifera marocana) in Morocco: Conservation status of the rarest bivalve in African fresh waters.
abstract: Margaritifera marocana is one of the rarest freshwater mussel species (listed as critically endangered), and is endemic to Morocco. Despite its constrained distribution and low abundance, to date there are no quantitative studies addressing the conservation status of this species. Surveys were conducted in 36 sites along the Oum Er Rbia river basin (Rivers Derna, Laabid and Oum Er Rbia) to assess the distribution, abundance, population structure and genetic diversity of M. marocana. Just one specimen was found on River Oum Er Rbia and none on River Derna; however, a high abundance was found in the lower section of River Laabid (e.g., site Laabid 6 reached a mean density of 11.0 ± 6.8 ind.m(-2)). Contrary to earlier information, which reported an overall population size fewer than 250 individuals in a restricted area and no juvenile presence, this study showed that a much higher abundance exists in River Laabid alone. In addition, the species is present in more than 50 km of this river and is still recruiting since small specimens were found. Regarding genetic diversity, six of nine loci previously used in Margaritifera margaritifera were polymorphic and suitable in M. marocana. The spatial range contraction of this species is likely to be very recent, since no strong signature was detected by the molecular diversity indices. Information gathered in this study can be used as a reference to the present conservation status of M. marocana, and guide future research and management initiatives to better conserve it. We conclude discussing the potential major threats for the future survival of M. marocana and suggest some management measures (and research needs) that should be urgently applied.
authors.affiliation: CBMA - Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; CIIMAR/CIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas 289, P 4050-123 Porto, Portugal. Electronic address: rg.eco.sousa@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ronaldo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sousa
authors.affiliation: CITAB-UTAD - Centre for Research and Technology of Agro-Environment and Biological Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Forestry Department, Apartado 1013, 5001-811 Vila Real, Portugal.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Varandas
authors.affiliation: CIMO-ESA-IPB - Mountain Research Centre, School of Agriculture, Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, Apartado 1172, 5301-854 Bragança, Portugal.
authors.forename: Amílcar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Teixeira
authors.affiliation: Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle de Marrakech, Université Cadi Ayyad, Faculté des Sciences, Semlalia, B.P. 2390 Marrakech, Morocco.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ghamizi
authors.affiliation: CIIMAR/CIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas 289, P 4050-123 Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Elsa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Froufe
authors.affiliation: CIIMAR/CIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas 289, P 4050-123 Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lopes-Lima
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049872:Bivalvia; D056727:Endangered Species; D005618:Fresh Water; D009018:Morocco; D011156:Population Density; D012758:Shellfish
keywords: Freshwater mussel; Morocco; Oum Er Rbia river basin; River Laabid; Water abstraction