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Distribution of invasive cryptic Sinanodonta species
The "Chinese pond mussels" of the genus Sinanodonta are a formally rich group that includes numerous genetically delimitable units, but their taxonomic status has not yet been clarified. Currently, nine species are distinguished , with additional cryptic species expected. Two species are known to be invasive. S. woodiana has occurred in Europe since the 1960s . In contrast, the spread of S. lautatowards Europe was discovered only a few years ago. The species probably colonizes watercourses in the Volga Delta since the early 2000s . The finding of Sinanodonta specimens with distinctly different shell shapes in two water bodies of the Lower Main region gave rise to the assumption that it might be S. lauta.
The "Chinese pond mussels" of the genus Sinanodonta are a formally rich group that includes numerous genetically delimitable units, but their taxonomic status has not yet been clarified. Currently, nine species are distinguished , with additional cryptic species expected. Two species are known to be invasive. S. woodiana has occurred in Europe since the 1960s . In contrast, the spread of S. lautatowards Europe was discovered only a few years ago. The species probably colonizes watercourses in the Volga Delta since the early 2000s . The finding of Sinanodonta specimens with distinctly different shell shapes in two water bodies of the Lower Main region gave rise to the assumption that it might be S. lauta.