Systematics and distribution of Cristaria plicata (Bivalvia, Unionidae) from the Russian Far East.
The number of anodontine bivalve species placed in the genus Cristaria (Bivalvia, Unionidae) from the Russian Far East is still not stable among authors. Some recognize only one valid species Cristaria plicata (Leach, 1815) while others accept two additional species, Cristaria tuberculata Schumacher, 1817 and Cristaria herculea (Middendorff, 1847). In the present study, these taxonomic doubts are addressed using analyses of mitochondrial DNA sequences and shell morphometry. No significant differences have been revealed by the COI DNA sequences or the main statistical morphometric indices from the three Cristaria forms. In the specimens analysed, changes in shell morphometry with age suggest that original descriptions of the different forms may be attributed solely to differences in age and sex. We consider that Cristaria plicata, Cristaria tuberculata and Cristaria herculea from the Russian Far East should be considered as a single species, namely Cristaria plicata (Leach, 1815), with Cristaria tuberculata and Cristaria herculea as junior synonyms. The geographic range of Cristaria plicata and its conservation status are also presented here.
Institute of Natural Resources, Ecology and Cryology, Russian Academy of Sciences Siberian Branch, Chita 672014, Russia.
Olga K
OK
Klishko
Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas 289, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal; Mollusc Specialist Group, Species Survival Commission, International Union for Conservation of Nature (SSC/IUCN), c/o IUCN, 219 Huntington Road, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Manuel
M
Lopes-Lima
Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas 289, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal.
Elsa
E
Froufe
Research Laboratory, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, MSC 1626, Raleigh, NC 27699-1626, United States of America.
Arthur E
AE
Bogan
Institute of Natural Resources, Ecology and Cryology, Russian Academy of Sciences Siberian Branch, Chita 672014, Russia.
Vera Y
VY
Abakumova
Anodontini; Bivalvia; COI; Russia; Unionidae; morphometry