The Invasive Mollusc Monodacna colorata (Bivalvia, Cardiidae) In The Ecosystems Of Hydraulic Structures Of The Zaporizhzhia NPP (Enerhodar, Ukraine)

The mollusc Monodacna colorata (Eichwald, 1829) was detected for the first time in the cooling ponds of the Zaporizhzhia NPP. Hydrobiological studies of the NPP's hydraulic structures were carried out in the summer period of 2021. We used standard benthos sampling methods with the Ekman Dredge. Eight individuals of M. colorata were found in the samples. This is the Ponto-Caspian species, native to the Black Sea Basin. M. colorata usually inhabits transitional brackish water bodies. However, in recent decades it has shifted its range and settled in freshwater reservoirs. The reproduction of M. colorata in the cooling pond may lead to additional biological obstacles in the water supply system of Zaporizhzhia NPP. Therefore, regular monitoring is necessary to assess and control the abundance of M. colorata.