Distribution of the Chinese pond mussel, Sinanodonta woodiana (Lea, 1834) in Flanders (Belgium):ready for the invasion?

Sinanodonta woodiana originates from East Asia. Since the first records in Romania in 1979 the species has expanded its range to 16 European countries, including Belgium. Currently, observations seem to be limited to the eastern part of Flanders. The first Belgian specimens were found in 1999 in a recreational pond in Diest. Additional specimens were collected in ponds in Zonhoven (2001), Oud-Heverlee (2001) and most recently in Genk (2009). These ponds are all connected to rivers belonging to the Schelde catchment, which may facilitate further colonization of Belgian waters. The populations s... Mehr ...