The cold drop of last November has caused losses in several aquatic ecosystems in the Valencian Community, such as the Madre de Real irrigation ditch in Real, which was destroyed due to the overflow of the Magro River
This channel, about half a kilometer long, housed a significant population of two freshwater clams, locally known as petxinots.
The petxinots are native species that play a vital role in the health of rivers and are classified as endangered in the Valencian Catalog of Endangered Species.
The Madre de Real irrigation ditch was destroyed: This canal housed an important population
In this situation, technicians from the El Palmar Aquaculture Center, which is part of the Department of Environment, Infrastructure, and Territory of the Autonomous Government of Valencia, in collaboration with the Oceanogràfic in Valencia, have rescued more than 1,300 specimens.
During the process, it was found that the irrigation ditch is an active breeding ground for two of the three species of mussels that inhabit the region: Unio mancus and Potomida littoralis.
A technician from the Oceanographic Foundation collecting 'petxinots'
The freshwater mussels, also known as nayades, as filter-feeding bivalves, contribute to the removal of impurities from the water, thus maintaining the quality of the aquatic ecosystem.
Furthermore, their presence in rivers acts as a natural indicator of the health of these environments. However, their population decline has been constant in recent years due to habitat loss, mainly from pollution and the effects of climate change.
On the other hand, these species have found refuge in many of the irrigation infrastructures in the Valencian territory, so proper management of them is essential to promote the conservation of these natural purifiers.
Transfer and monitoring at the Oceanogràfic
Thanks to the presence of facilities suitable for the maintenance of aquatic species at the Oceanogràfic, the rescued petxinots were transferred to the aquarium, where they remain in a controlled environment that simulates their natural habitat and with optimal freshwater conditions for their recovery, analysis, and study.
In the process of tracking animals, technicians have tagged over 500 clams, assigning them a unique code and recording their biometric data (length, width, and height).
To date, two releases have been carried out in different river areas that were previously assessed as safe.
To date, two releases have taken place in different river areas
In these areas, monitoring will continue to measure the success of the rescue effort, with particular focus on the growth of the specimens and the potential emergence of new juveniles.
International Cooperation
The population decline of freshwater clams is not a unique problem to the Valencia Region. Internationally, numerous research teams are working on the protection of these species, classified as vulnerable in Europe according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
With the aim of helping to stop this decline, the Oceanogràfic (CACSA - GVA) and the Ministry of the Environment have been working together for three years on a joint project focused on the development of reproduction techniques in a controlled environment, the maintenance of juveniles, and their reintroduction into the natural environment.
Protecting these species is crucial to preserve riverine biodiversity and ensure the long-term stability of aquatic ecosystems.
This project aims to protect the species and increase knowledge about their reproduction and the optimal conditions for their survival.