Targeting clams: insights into the invasive potential and current and future distribution of Asian clams

SUMMARY Bivalves are among the main groups of invasive freshwater species, with the Asian clam genusCorbiculain particular being widely distributed. While global studies have focused onCorbicula fluminea(Müller, 1774), the invasive potential ofCorbicula largillierti(Philippi, 1844) andCorbicula fluminalis(Müller, 1774) is still unknown. The spread of invasive species may be intensified by climate change. We estimated and compared environmentally suitable areas for these species under hypothetical climate scenarios, generating global maps of invasion risk. We found large climatically suitable areas forC. largilliertiandC. fluminalis(under species distribution models) and that their invasive potential is currently underestimated. The analysis revealed many areas in which changing climate may favour the invasion ofCorbiculaspp.