In this review, we synthesize the current knowledge of the biology, ecology, and impact of Sinanodonta freshwater mussels (Bivalvia, Unionidae), native to East Asia, that have successfully invaded Europe, Central America, North Africa, and several Asian regions. The main introduction pathways of Sinanodonta were reconstructed based on DNA sequence data and distribution records. We show that invasive lineages of Sinanodonta bel...

Freshwater mussels (Bivalvia, Unionidae) have suffered strong declines over the last century. High morphological plasticity of Unionidae causes disturbances in their systematics and taxonomy, hampering conservation efforts. Species that have historically been placed under the North American genus Quadrula have suffered from numerous taxonomic and species delineation problems since its inception. Four genera are presently recog...

Hucho taimen from eight populations spanning four drainage basins (Amur, Lena, Enisei and Khatanga) were analysed for nucleotide sequence variation across three mitochondrial genes (ATP6, NADH‐1 and control region). Samples of H. hucho , Brachymystax lenok (sharp‐snouted and blunt‐snouted forms) and Parahucho perryi were also included for comparison. Nucleotide variation across a total of 1826 base pairs in H. taimen revealed...

We analysed variation at maternally (mitochondrial DNA control region sequences) and bi‐parentally (10 microsatellites) inherited genetic markers, as well as across 12 meristic characters in 7 populations of Amur grayling, Thymallus grubii , from eastern Siberia. All three data sets were concordant in supporting the existence of three diagnosable, reciprocally monophyletic, and most probably reproductively isolated, lineages o...

Common carp Cyprinus carpio ( n =24) from the upper Danube (wild or feral forms, scaleless varieties) as well as Japanese koi shared the identical mtDNA haplotype (565 bp). In contrast, Amur River carp ( n =5) exhibited unique haplotypes, 1–12 bp divergent from the Danubian one. These results support an Asian origin and single introduction or domestication event leading to the present diversity of common carp in Europe, as wel...

The golden‐striped salamander ( Chioglossa lusitanica ) is an ecologically specialized species, endemic to north‐western Iberia. Patterns of genetic variation were assessed at seven polymorphic enzyme loci and one mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) marker (cytochrome b ) in 17 populations across its range. Estimates of enzyme genetic diversity revealed a high degree of genetic subdivision ( F ST = 0.68), mainly attributable to the exis...