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Molluscs are the second largest and most speciose invertebrate phylum after Arthropoda. There are around 7000 freshwater molluscs that play an important role in the ecosystem. Although many of these freshwater species are very restricted in their habitats, due to the increase in globalisation, trade, and transport, freshwater molluscs get introduced to new environments, becoming problematic to the native biodiversity and humans. Our compilation reveals 28 invasive freshwater molluscs globally, which reportedly cause serious problems to the native biodiversity, including economic loss, agriculture, and others. The major pathways of introduction for the freshwater molluscs are found to be accidental/unintentional (e.g. as hitchhikers with macrophytes, ballast water, aquarium waste disposal) and pet trade. We obtained the distribution records for 28 species from global databases like Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), iNaturalist, and the published and grey literature. The species distribution modelling reveals Europe, South America, and Eastern North America as the most vulnerable regions. Niche dynamics analysis shows 14 species with lower and nine species with high niche overlap across the native and introduced ranges. Two species i.e. Corbicula fluminea and Physella acuta follow niche conservatism.

The rat lungworm, Angiostrongylus cantonensis, is an invasive, zoonotic parasite that can cause severe disease in humans. We collected A. cantonensis larvae from 2 host species, invasive apple and mystery snails, from bodies of water in Georgia, USA. Recreational water users should avoid ingesting potentially infected hosts, aquatic vegetation, and water.

Limnoperna fortunei, the golden mussel, is a bivalve mollusk considered an invader in South America. This species is responsible for ecological and economic damages due to its voluminous fouling capability. Chemical biocides such as MXD-100™ and sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC) are often used to control L. fortunei infestations in hydraulic systems. Thus, we proposed to investigate the effects of different periods (24, 48 and 72 h) of exposure to MXD-100™ (0.56 mg L−1) and NaDCC (1.5 mg L−1) on the gills of L. fortunei through morphological and molecular analyses. NaDCC promoted progressive morphological changes during the analyzed periods and only an upregulation of SOD and HSP70 expression during the first 24 h of exposure. MXD-100™ led to severe morphological changes from the first period of exposure, in addition to an upregulation of SOD, CAT, HSP70 and CYP expression during the first 24 h. In contrast, MXD-100™ led to a downregulation of CAT transcription between 24 and 48 h. In static conditions, NaDCC causes lethal damage after 72 h of exposure, and that exposure needs to be continuous to achieve the control of the species. Meanwhile, the MXD-100™ treatment presented several effects during the first 24 h, showing acute toxicity in a shorter period of time.

The Asian Clam, Corbicula fluminea (O.F. Müller, 1774), is a high-risk invasive species in Mexico. The first record for the country dates back to 1969, and by 2024 its presence had been documented in 26 of the 32 Mexican states. In June 2025, the presence of C. fluminea was detected in the San Ignacio oasis, which has potential repercussions for endemic species there and highlights the urgent need to implement a control and eradication program for C. fluminea in the San Ignacio oasis. Monitoring of nearby oases is also necessary.

The world’s largest water diversion, the South-to-North Water Transfer Project (SNWTP) in China, has created an “invasion highway” to introduce invasive golden mussels (Limnoperna fortunei) from the Yangtze River basin to Beijing. To examine the spread and colonization patterns of this newly introduced invasive species, we conducted comprehensive environmental DNA (eDNA)-based early detection and conventional field surveys across all water bodies in five river basins in Beijing from 2020 to 2023. Our results indicated a rapid spread over the past four years. Among the 130 tested sites, the number of sites with positive signals from eDNA analysis exhibited an annual increase: Commencing with four infested sites identified through field surveys in 2019, eDNA analysis detected an additional 13, 11, and 10 positive sites in 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively, and a substantial rise comprising an additional 28 sites in 2023. Conventional field surveys detected mussels 1–3 years later than eDNA-based analysis at 16 sites. Across all 16 sites, we detected a low population density ranging from 1 to 30 individuals/m2. These findings collectively indicate that the invasions by golden mussels in Beijing are still in their early stages. To date, golden mussels have successfully colonized four out of the five investigated river basins, including the Jiyun River (22.2% positive sites), North Canal River (59.6% positive sites), Chaobai River (40% positive sites), and Yongding River (63.6% positive sites), with the North Canal River and Yongding River being the most heavily infested. Currently, only the Daqing River basin remains uninfested. Given the significant number of infested sites and the ongoing transport of large new propagules via SNWTP, further rapid spread and colonization are anticipated across aquatic ecosystems in Beijing and beyond. Consequently, we call for the proper implementation of effective management strategies, encompassing early detection, risk assessment, and the use of appropriate control measures to mitigate the potential ecological and economic damages in invaded ecosystems.

The introduction of the African snail Lissachatina fulica worldwide poses a risk to the environment, agriculture and human health. Considered a socio-environmental pest it causes problems to plantations and gardens, in addition to threatening native species. Also, it can be an intermediate host of worms that affect humans and mammals. This work aims to evaluate the socioenvironmental impact caused by L. fulica in Alto Paraíso de Goiás, Goiás, Brazil. Specifically, it aimed to analyze the residents' knowledge about L. fulica, if they were able to recognize the invasive snail and differentiate it from the giant native snail Megalobulimus sp., in addition to the community's ability to carry out actions to combat the invasive species. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, guided by a questionnaire, with the urban population, and an unstructured interview with a health surveillance agent in the municipality. The area of the city was divided into five zones and ten residences were visited in each zone. It was found that the residents most affected by L. fulica are those who live in the most urbanized region of the city, with 86% of respondents reporting seeing the animal in the city center. The presence of the Megalobulimus sp. was reported by four residents in the city's border regions with the native Cerrado. Most of the reports of the African snail in the houses occurred by residents of Alto Paraíso de Goiás who had plants in their backyard and personally took care of them.

We summarized existing knowledge on Dreissena polymorpha (the zebra mussel) and D. r. bugensis (the quagga mussel), including data on their taxonomy, systematics, evolution, life cycle, reproduction, feeding, growth and longevity, population dynamics, interspecific competition, habitat requirements, and distribution within and among waterbodies. We analyzed the history of spread of both species and the major pathways and vectors of their spread in Europe and North America. Special consideration was given to their ecological and economic impacts and their natural enemies, like waterfowl, fishes, and parasites, as well as the prevention of their introduction, early detection, control, and containment. We also outlined the most salient ecosystem services provided by zebra and quagga mussels, including water purification, nutrient recycling, culling the effects of eutrophication, biomonitoring, and their role as a food resource for fish and waterfowl. Finally, we identified major knowledge gaps and key studies needed to better understand the biology, ecology, and impacts of these aggressive freshwater invaders. Our review indicates that much crucial information on the quagga mussel is still missing, including key life history parameters, like spawning cues, fecundity, and longevity, particularly for the profundal zone of deep lakes.

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 belong to three species, namely, S. woodiana s. str. (“temperate invasive” lineage), S. pacifica (“tropical invasive” lineage), and S. lauta . Their generalist fish-dispersed larvae, short life span, high fecundity, use by humans for multiple purposes, and ability to establish populations in anthropogenically disturbed conditions were identified as crucial traits driving their invasions. Information on the consequences is scarcer, but Sinanodonta can impact native species through larval parasitism, host fish/food competition, and parasite transmission. In addition, ecosystem effects through their filtration—biodeposition—excretion activity and the occurrence of massive die-offs were detected. Ecosystem services and disservices have not yet been quantified, even at local scales, and management methods in the invasive range are understudied. A better understanding of Sinanodonta ecology, impacts, and management options is urgently needed to make informed decisions and set realistic and impactful restoration goals.

One means of eradicating invasive molluscs is through dewatering or desiccation. Here, I show a practical approach for determining desiccation tolerance of molluscs. Laboratory studies of desiccation tolerance are usually conducted at constant humidity levels, with the amount of time to death, provided as an end point. However, in the natural environment humidity can vary hourly and time to death at a constant humidity is not relevant. A more practical method to determine desiccation tolerance is by measuring water loss. Additionally, knowing the length–weight relationship and desiccation tolerance one can calculate the predicted desiccated weight of a mollusc that would ensure 95% mortality. I used this approach for two invasive aquatic snails, the red-rimmed melania, Melanoides tuberculata and the quilted melania Tarebia granifera . Snails were placed in individual dry vials and every 24 h a subset was weighed to determine water mass lost, followed by the addition of water to determine survival. Survival analyses were conducted to determine percent water mass lost that would result in 95% mortality. This approach for determining desiccation resistance can be a useful control tool for a variety of invasive organisms and is not dependent on temperature or humidity.

Corbicula fluminea is a widespread and problematic invasive bivalve species in many freshwater ecosystems. Here, a systematic literature review was performed to synthesise what is presently known about C. fluminea in relation to its biology, ecology, and management. Of the total 1156 studies analysed, most were conducted in North America and Europe, with a primary focus on toxicology and ecology. In the native range, most studies assessed the role of C. fluminea in human nutrition and health. We have also identified a series of knowledge gaps that should be considered by future research. These include, for example, the need to better assess basic biological and ecological features (e.g. distribution, abundance, biomass, population structure, modes of reproduction, natural enemies) of C. fluminea, while the resolution of severe taxonomic problems that persist within the Corbicula species complex should be addressed with novel molecular tools. Further, better understanding of the mechanisms that underpin the impacts of C. fluminea in the invaded range is required. Given the high invasiveness of C. fluminea, novel methodologies and techniques to improve early detection, prediction of spread, and effective management for successful containment and eradication are urgently needed.