Host mussel utilization by the red tabira bitterling, Acheilognathus tabira erythropterus, in a drainage ditch of Kitakami river system, Japan

Abstract

Bitterling are fishes that use freshwater mussels for oviposition. Mussel utilization by the red tabira bitterling, Acheilognathus tabira erythropterus, which spawning season is spring, was investigated in an agricultural draining ditch. Twenty-three freshwater mussels Pronodularia cf. japanensis 3 (sensu Lopes-Lima, 2020) (25.8 % of 89 individuals examined) hosted eggs and embryos of A. t. erythropterus mainly in their suprabranchial cavity. In contrast, 27 Buldowskia kamiyai did not host any egg or embryo. This may indicate the preference of P.cf. japanensis 3 by A. t. erythropterus as a host mussel.