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Diversity
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Novel Aspects in Freshwater Fauna Conservation
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Novel Aspects in Freshwater Fauna Conservation

A special issue of Diversity (ISSN 1424-2818). This special issue belongs to the section "Freshwater Biodiversity".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2023) | Viewed by 7597

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Zoran Marinović

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Aquaculture, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary
Interests: species conservation; reproductive biology; stem cells; ex situ conservation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Simona Đuretanović

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Institute of Biology and Ecology, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
Interests: crayfish; endangered species; biodiversity; conservation; hydrobiology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Freshwater ecosystems are among the most diverse ecosystem types, accounting for approximately 1% of Earth’s surface and 0.01% of the world’s water. Nevertheless, they make up approximately 10% of the world’s biodiversity. Just the estimated 25,000–40,000 different fish species residing in these ecosystems comprise 30–50% of all vertebrate diversity. However, freshwater ecosystems are the most endangered, and species residing in them face the most intense threat of extinction. Among them, invertebrates such as freshwater mussels and crayfish are the most vulnerable. The most pronounced factors contributing to this fact are habitat degradation, water pollution, overexploitation, flow regulation, and invasions by non-native species, with environmental changes and climate shifts being superimposed to them. Therefore, the protection of freshwater fauna and development of novel conservation programs are essential.

The primary aim of this Special Issue is to collect and publish papers that advance the science and practice of conservation of freshwater fauna. Specifically, we wish to address the novel and innovative aspects and approaches in preservation of freshwater fauna diversity. We are open to contributions from a wide range of fields such as species conservation and management, protection of freshwater habitats, conservation genetics, restocking and reintroduction of endangered species, threat assessment to valuable freshwater species, global change effects on biodiversity, fragmentation effects, and the spread and effects of invasive species. Papers presenting novel aspects in preservation of genetic resources such as reproductive biotechnology, cryopreservation, and other ex situ methods are very welcome. Additionally, contributions dedicated to the conservation of umbrella species and the effects of such strategies to wider preservation of freshwater fauna are welcome. We will be accepting contributions in the form of short communications, research papers, and reviews.

Dr. Zoran Marinović
Dr. Simona Đuretanović
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Diversity is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • endangered species
  • species conservation
  • freshwater ecosystems
  • freshwater fish
  • freshwater invertebrates
  • crayfish

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 2606 KiB  
Article
Functional Morphology as an Indicator of European Eel Population Status
by Oliver Barić, Tena Radočaj, Alexis Conides, Nevena Kitanović, Jurica Jug-Dujaković and Ana Gavrilović
Diversity 2023, 15(12), 1223; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15121223 - 17 Dec 2023
Viewed by 1088
Abstract
In the area of the Neretva delta in the eastern Adriatic, where the European eel, Anguilla anguilla (Linnaeus, 1758) has been traditionally fished for centuries, a decline in its population has been observed, as in most of Europe. Despite several studies, systematic monitoring [...] Read more.
In the area of the Neretva delta in the eastern Adriatic, where the European eel, Anguilla anguilla (Linnaeus, 1758) has been traditionally fished for centuries, a decline in its population has been observed, as in most of Europe. Despite several studies, systematic monitoring was not performed, and the causes of population decline are attributed to anthropogenic stressors, mainly overfishing and interventions that disrupt the migration. With the stock at a low level, there is a need for a detailed assessment of biological data and the determination of the “zero state” of the eel population in the areas where monitoring was not previously performed, such as the Neretva delta. This data would serve as a basis for the development of an appropriate monitoring and eel management plan. One of the under-researched aspects is still the eel’s morphology, which is closely related to all basic life functions. The aim of this work was to analyze in detail the morphological parameters of yellow and silver eels from the mouth of the Neretva River in different seasons and the relationships between the measured morphometric parameters and physiological indicators and to compare them with previously published results for different life stages across Europe. The samples were collected during spring, summer and autumn of 2021, and winter of 2022. Yellow eels were present in the catch throughout the sampling period, while silver eels were caught in the autumn and winter. Yellow and silver eels were significantly different regarding 22 morphometric measures that were analyzed. Isometric growth was recorded for yellow eels in the spring and autumn of 2021, and positive allometric growth was recorded for yellow eels in the summer and silver eels in the autumn of 2021 and winter of 2022. PCA showed that the main factor that separates the eels grouped by life stage in different seasons is the intestine length (IL), whereas the rest of the factors (weight—W; intestine weight—IW; liver weight—LW; and total length—TL) affect the groupings almost equally. Seasonal averages of the condition factor (CF) for yellow and silver eels did not differ statistically. Three indicators were used to describe intestine morphology: relative gut weight (RGW), relative gut length (RGL), and Zihler’s index (ZHI); and the only statistically significant difference between yellow and silver eels was recorded for the RGW. The hepatosomatic index (HSI) was significantly different between silver eels in winter and yellow eels in spring. In addition to supplementing the already known facts, this paper provides new information on the functional morphology of the European eel. Monitoring of these characteristics is crucial for management of the European eel fisheries as they are directly related to functional performance and affect the ability to maintain sustainable populations in anthropogenically altered environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Aspects in Freshwater Fauna Conservation)
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16 pages, 807 KiB  
Article
Human Dimensions and Visitors’ Perspective in Freshwater Crayfish Conservation: The Case of a Protected Area in Italy
by Elena Mercugliano, Valeria Messina, Marco Bonelli, Raoul Manenti, Davide Scaccini, Linda Ferrante, Pierfrancesco Biasetti and Barbara de Mori
Diversity 2023, 15(9), 999; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15090999 - 07 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1041
Abstract
Human dimensions in endangered species conservation are often overlooked. However, including human dimensions in conservation projects can help conservationists integrate social and ecological dimensions and investigate individual or society’s perspectives toward conservation efforts. The aim of this study was to investigate how visitors [...] Read more.
Human dimensions in endangered species conservation are often overlooked. However, including human dimensions in conservation projects can help conservationists integrate social and ecological dimensions and investigate individual or society’s perspectives toward conservation efforts. The aim of this study was to investigate how visitors of a protected area perceived the conservation of the native white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes), a species recently brought to disappearance by the introduction of the spiny-cheek crayfish (Faxonius limosus). From August to October 2017, we distributed a questionnaire to park visitors, aiming to: (i) identify behaviors that could affect the conservation of the native crayfish after reintroduction; (ii) investigate if visitors’ awareness and knowledge of native freshwater crayfish may increase approval for conservation initiatives. Of the 290 respondents, most (73%) had never heard of alien species. The respondents’ inclination to be favorable to resource investment and alien crayfish eradication and to perform specific educational training was significantly related to their knowledge of crayfish features. Knowledge of freshwater crayfish features resulted in being a main determinant in affecting visitors’ attitudes towards conservation initiatives. These results confirm that visitors’ awareness can increase approval for conservation programs and the importance of investigating the proper human dimensions before establishing management actions for endangered species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Aspects in Freshwater Fauna Conservation)
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12 pages, 7628 KiB  
Article
Destiny of Two Caddisfly Species under Global Climate Change
by Katarina Stojanović, Dubravka Milić, Milica Ranković Perišić, Marija Miličić and Ivana Živić
Diversity 2023, 15(9), 995; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15090995 - 06 Sep 2023
Viewed by 749
Abstract
Climate change is considered one of the greatest threats to freshwater biodiversity. Although freshwater biodiversity is an important contributor to economic, scientific, and cultural aspects of human society, freshwater species, especially invertebrates, tend to be neglected in conservation studies. This fact also raises [...] Read more.
Climate change is considered one of the greatest threats to freshwater biodiversity. Although freshwater biodiversity is an important contributor to economic, scientific, and cultural aspects of human society, freshwater species, especially invertebrates, tend to be neglected in conservation studies. This fact also raises the question of the suitability of protected areas (PAs) for the conservation of freshwater biodiversity. In our study, we used species distribution models (SDMs) to examine the effects of climate change on the two trichopteran species Helicopsyche bacescui Orghidan and Botosaneanu, 1953 and Thremma anomalum McLachlan, 1876. We determined which areas in the Balkans and neighboring countries might be lost to or colonized by these species in the future, and tested the effectiveness of PAs for the conservation of freshwater biota. While H. bacescui will potentially lose up to 68% of its range, T. anomalum could expand its range by up to 72%. Both species tend to shift their range mainly to the Carpathian Mountains. Our results suggest that currently established PAs are insufficient to cover the potential current and predicted future ranges of the studied species. The study therefore highlights the need to combine aquatic and terrestrial systems in the future designation of protected areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Aspects in Freshwater Fauna Conservation)
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18 pages, 2153 KiB  
Article
Population Characteristics of Spirlin Alburnoides bipunctatus (Bloch, 1782) in Serbia (Central Balkans): Implications for Conservation
by Marija Jakovljević, Marijana Nikolić, Nataša Kojadinović, Simona Đuretanović, Milena Radenković, Tijana Veličković and Vladica Simić
Diversity 2023, 15(5), 616; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15050616 - 01 May 2023
Viewed by 1681
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the population characteristics of spirlin, Alburnoides bipunctatus, in Serbia, since this small fish species is facing a severe decline in its abundance and its natural habitats in Europe. We investigated the spirlin population dynamics, [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the population characteristics of spirlin, Alburnoides bipunctatus, in Serbia, since this small fish species is facing a severe decline in its abundance and its natural habitats in Europe. We investigated the spirlin population dynamics, including size, age structure, growth pattern, mortality, and exploitation rate. Additionally, we used the Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection approach with the Decision Tree algorithm to investigate the influence of different environmental parameters on the population parameters to unveil which factors shape the abundance and distribution of spirlin. The results showed that the highest values of production, abundance, and biomass were estimated in sites with low temperature, optimal pH, and well-oxygenated water, even though we found them in heavily polluted waters with extremely high values of conductivity. Moreover, we observed a pattern of migratory behavior, in which spirlin migrate upstream to sites at a higher altitude in early summer and autumn. Despite the putative vulnerability and high sensitivity of spirlin populations, our results showed that the species was abundant, occurring in altered habitats (due to pollution, climate change, anthropogenic pressure, etc.). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Aspects in Freshwater Fauna Conservation)
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18 pages, 3908 KiB  
Article
Characteristics of the Stone Crayfish Population along a Disturbance Gradient—A Case Study of the Kustošak Stream, Croatia
by Anita Tarandek, Leona Lovrenčić, Lana Židak, Martina Topić, Dorotea Grbin, Marija Gregov, Josip Ćurko, Sandra Hudina and Ivana Maguire
Diversity 2023, 15(5), 591; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15050591 - 25 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2179
Abstract
The stone crayfish, Austropotamobius torrentium, is a native European freshwater species sensitive to habitat alterations such as stream channelization and urban development, putting its populations at risk. This study aims to assess how habitat alteration and subsequent water quality changes affect the [...] Read more.
The stone crayfish, Austropotamobius torrentium, is a native European freshwater species sensitive to habitat alterations such as stream channelization and urban development, putting its populations at risk. This study aims to assess how habitat alteration and subsequent water quality changes affect the stone crayfish population in the Kustošak Stream (Croatia) through three selected sites under different levels of anthropogenic disturbance: (1) undisturbed; (2) recently modified, and (3) long-time modified sites. At each site, crayfish were captured, measured, and marked to estimate population size, structure, and crayfish condition. Additionally, we examined whether water quality (18 measured physicochemical parameters) affects relative crayfish abundance. We also used mitochondrial sequencing and microsatellite genotyping to assess species genetic diversity and population connectivity and to compare results among the sites. The results showed that habitat alteration caused an overall reduction in population abundance and changes in size structure; however, it had not yet resulted in detectable genetic differences. Partial least squares regression showed that crayfish abundance was affected by the physicochemical parameters of water, including, among others, oxygen, calcium ions, nitrates, pH, and water temperature. We discuss our findings in the context of the effects of anthropogenic disturbance on the viability and persistence of this EU priority species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Aspects in Freshwater Fauna Conservation)
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