Distribution of invasive cryptic Sinanodonta species. invasive Sinanodonta

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.