Pectinatella magnifica (Leidy, 1851)

English Magnificent bryozoan Status LU: established. 1st record: ~2011.
Lëtzebuergesch Schwamp-Moosdéierchen Status Eur.: established.
Français Pectinatelle RA: ISEIA: C1. Harmonia+: n/a.
Deutsch Schwammartiges Moostierchen Wikipedia: Wikipedia - English - Greater duckweed Wikipedia - Français - Lentille d'eau géante Wikipedia - Deutsch - Vielwurzelige Teichlinse Nederlands | Wikispecies: Wikispecies - Pectinatella magnifica
Nederlands n/a Back to the list of invertebrates

Brief description

Pectinatella magnifica 02Pectinatella magnifica, the magnificent bryozoan, is a member of the Bryozoa phylum, in the order Plumatellida. It is a colony of organisms that bind together; these colonies can sometimes be 60 centimeters in diameter. These organisms can be found mostly in North America with some in Europe. They are often found attached to objects, but can be found free floating as well. They form a translucent body with many star-like blooms along the outside. The density of the organism is similar to that of gelatin, and is easily breakable into smaller chunks (Wikipedia contributors 2018).

Status and distribution in Luxembourg

Records of Pectinatella magnifica (Leidy, 1851) in Luxembourg. Data source: Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2025-11-15.

In 2012 numerous colonies of Pectinatella magnifica (Leidy, 1851) (Bryozoa, Phylactolaemata) were discovered in the reservoir of Esch-sur-Sûre (Luxembourg) fed by the river Sûre. The colonies were particularly abundant in the shallow, warm and nutrient-rich water near the riverbank, but some colonies were spotted by divers in the reservoir at a depth of 8-9 m in one site and more than 20 m in another site. There is reliable evidence that Pectinatella was present, but less conspicuous and as such not identified, in 2011 and possibly already in 2010. P. magnifica was hitherto unrecorded in Luxembourg, but known from a site near the German-Luxembourg border near Nennig (Germany, Saarland) where statoblasts were found in 2001 (Massard et al. 2013).

Risk assessment

ISEIA protocol

C1 (3+2+1+1) (Ries et al. 2017: 68).

Harmonia+ protocol

Not assessed yet.

Worldwide distribution

Bibliography

  • GBIF, 2019. Pectinatella magnifica (Leidy, 1851) in GBIF Secretariat (2019). GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Checklist dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/39omei [accessed 2020-03-13]
  • Massard, J.A., G. Geimer & E. Wille, 2013. Apparition de Pectinella magnifica (Leidy, 1851) (Bryozoa, Phylactolaemata) dans le lac de barrage d’Esch-sur-Sûre (Luxembourg). Bulletin de la Société des naturalistes luxembourgeois 114: 131-148.
  • Massard, J.A. & G. Geimer, 2015. L’’histoire de la recherche bryozoologique au Luxembourg (Phylactolémates et Gymnolémates d’eau douce). Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 116: 373-379. [PDF 1,35 MB]
  • MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2021. MNHNL-mdata, online portal combining species observation from Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist and GBIF. National Museum of Natural History, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2021-04-14]
  • Ries, C., A. Arendt, C. Braunert, S. Christian, A. Dohet, A. Frantz, G. Geimer, M. Hellers, J. A. Massard, X. Mestdagh, R. Proess, N. Schneider & M. Pfeiffenschneider, 2017. Environmental impact assessment and black, watch and alert list classification after the ISEIA Protocol of invertebrates in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 119: 63-70. [PDF 360 KB]
  • Wikipedia contributors, 2018. ‘Pectinatella magnifica’, Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 3 December 2018, 23:25 UTC, <https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pectinatella_magnifica&oldid=871869936> [accessed 2020-03-13]

 Page content last updated on 2023-08-21. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-11-12.

New up-to-date distribution maps on neobiota.lu

Records of Procyon lotor Linnaeus, 1758 in Luxembourg. Data source: Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2025-11-15.

The distribution maps on neobiota.lu are from now on up to date. Every time a page concerning a species present in Luxembourg is viewed, the distribution data are retrieved on the fly by a query sent to the Recorder-Lux database of the Luxembourg National Museum of Natural History.

These data are saved on the neobiota.lu server in GPX format and displayed using the OSM (Open Street Map) WordPress plugin.

 Page content last updated on 2020-12-08. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-11-12.

IAS coordination group for Luxembourg created by Ministerial Order

On 21 November 2016 the Minister for the Environment, Carole Dieschbourg signed the Ministerial Order creating a coordination group for invasive alien species in Luxembourg, which was published in the Memorial on 28 November 2016.

Arrêté ministériel du 21 novembre 2016 portant création du groupe de coordination sur les espèces exotiques envahissantes au Luxembourg. Mémorial B – N° 121 du 28 novembre 2016. (PDF 29 KB)

 Page content last updated on 2019-11-12. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-11-12.

Publication of a leaflet on Ambrosia artemisiifolia

In autumn 2016 the Department for the Environment of the Luxembourg Ministry of sustainable development and infrastructures edited a leaflet in German and French about Ambrosia artemisiifolia, in co-operation with the National Museum of Natural History and efor-ersa ingénieurs-conseils. It can be downloaded here in PDF format (4 MB each).

More information on the Common Ragweed in Luxembourg can be found in a dedicated article on this website.

flyer-cover-de   flyer-cover-fr

 Page content last updated on 2020-03-30. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-11-12.

Varroa destructor Anderson & Trueman, 2000

English Varroa mite Status LU: established. 1st record: 1985.
Lëtzebuergesch Varroamilb Status Eur.: established.
Français n/a RA: ISEIA: A3, Black List. Harmonia+: n/a.
Deutsch Varroamilbe Wikipedia: Wikipedia - English - Varroa mite Wikipedia - Français - Varroa destructor Wikipedia - Deutsch - Varroamilbe Nederlands | Wikispecies: Wikispecies - Varroa destructor | CABI
Nederlands Varroamijt Back to the list of invertebrates

Brief description

7-Varroa destructor on head bee pupa3 by Gilles San MartinVarroa destructor Anderson & Trueman, 2000 is an external parasitic mite that attack and feeds on the honey bees Apis cerana and Apis mellifera. The disease caused by the mites is called varroosis. The Varroa mite can only reproduce in a honey bee colony. It attaches to the body of the bee and weakens the bee by sucking fat bodies. The species is a vector for at least five debilitating bee viruses, including RNA viruses such as the deformed wing virus (DWV). A significant mite infestation leads to the death of a honey bee colony, usually in the late autumn through early spring. The Varroa mite is the parasite with possibly the most pronounced economic impact on the beekeeping industry. Varroa is considered to be one of multiple stress factors contributing to the higher levels of bee losses around the world.

The adult female mite is reddish-brown in color, while the male is white. Varroa mites are flat, having a button shape. They are 1–1.8 mm long and 1.5–2 mm wide, and have eight legs. Mites reproduce on a 10-day cycle (Wikipedia contributors 2020).

Status and distribution in Luxembourg

Varroa destructor Anderson & Trueman, 2000 was observed for the first time in Luxembourg in 1985 (Meisch 1986). Claude Meisch recalls: “At that time it was a delicate matter, no beekeeper wanted to admit that he had the parasite in his hives. I remember well that I was the first to admit in meetings that I had found Varroa in my hives. Probably Varroa was already widespread in the whole country at that time” (Meisch 2018).

In the 1980s, Varroa spread throughout the country and is nowadays present in every beehive.

There is no distribution map available because no data has been entered into the Recorder-Lux database so far (MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF 2019).

Risk assessment

ISEIA protocol

A3 (3+3+3+3) = Black List (Ries et al. 2017: 68).

Harmonia+ protocol

Not assessed yet.

Worldwide distribution

CABI 2008: https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/107784#toDistributionMaps

Bibliography

  • CABI, 2008. Varroa destructor Anderson & Trueman, 2000 [original text by Claire Beverley]. In: Invasive Species Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. URL: www.cabi.org/isc [accessed 2019-11-26]
  • MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2019. MNHNL-mdata, online portal combining species observation from Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist and GBIF. National Museum of Natural History, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2019-10-24]
  • Meisch, C., 1986. Die Varroamilbe. Geschichte der Ausbreitung, Portrait und Biologie. Pp. 174-177 in: Livre d’or du centenaire 1886-1986. Fédération des unions d’apiculteurs du grand-duché de Luxembourg.
  • Meisch, C., 2018. Personal communication to Lucie Lentz during Summer 2018.
  • Ries, C., A. Arendt, C. Braunert, S. Christian, A. Dohet, A. Frantz, G. Geimer, M. Hellers, J. A. Massard, X. Mestdagh, R. Proess, N. Schneider & M. Pfeiffenschneider, 2017. Environmental impact assessment and black, watch and alert list classification after the ISEIA Protocol of invertebrates in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 119: 63-70. [PDF 360 KB]
  • Wikipedia contributors, 2020. ‘Varroa destructor’, Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 19 February 2020, 15:24 UTC, <https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Varroa_destructor&oldid=941598994> [accessed 2020-03-13]

 Page content last updated on 2021-05-14. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-12-12.

Opilio canestrinii (Thorell, 1876)

English n/a Status LU: established. 1st record: 2009.
Lëtzebuergesch Roude Schneider Status Eur.: established.
Français n/a RA: ISEIA: B3, Watch List. Harmonia+: n/a.
Deutsch Apenninen-Kanker Wikipedia: Wikipedia - English - Opilio canestrinii Wikipedia - Français - Opilio canestrinii Nederlands | Wikispecies: n/a (2020) | CABI
Nederlands Rode hooiwagen Back to the list of invertebrates

Brief description

Opilio canestrinii LC0163Opilio canestrinii is a species of harvestman. Males reach a body length up to 6 mm, females up to 8 mm. While males are yellowish brown to reddish, females are lighter. Males have dark legs, but yellow coxae and “knees”; the legs of females show alternately light and dark rings. The backs of females sport a dark, saddle-like pattern with a light longitudinal stripe in the middle. Adults can be found from June to December.

O. canestrinii probably originates from Italy, but has invaded Central Europe since the late 1970, and has since almost everywhere replaced the similar O. parietinus. It is most often found on house walls (Wikipedia contributors 2019).

Status and distribution in Luxembourg

Records of Opilio canestrinii (Thorell, 1876) in Luxembourg. Data source: Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2025-11-15.

The first documented occurrence of the species in Luxembourg dates from 2009. It was found by C. Muster on 20th August 2009 in Fort Berlaimont (Municipality of Luxembourg).

Opilio canestrinii is the second most common harvestman in Luxembourg and can be found in every region of the country.

Opilio canestrinii colonises a number of open habitats independently of their moisture levels. It is very successful in man-made landscapes, even in bigger cities. It is a strong competitor to native species and seems able to displace or even replace them. There are indicators that the similar Opilio parietinus, traditionally a common species on house walls, has nearly vanished, just a few years after the arrival of O. canestrinii.

Several sources describe this harvestman as a typical species of urban areas. In Luxembourg however, the data provided from different projects show evidence that the species occurs in great numbers and important percentages even in close-to-nature areas. Since the 1960s, O. canestrinii has spread extremely quickly northwards through Europe and has become a more or less common species in their new areas.

Risk assessment

ISEIA protocol

B3 (3+2+3+1) = Watch List (Ries et al. 2017: 68).

Harmonia+ protocol

Not assessed yet.

Worldwide distribution

Bibliography

  • CABI, 2019. Opilio canestrinii. In: Invasive Species Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. URL: www.cabi.org/isc [accessed 2020-03-05]
  • GBIF, 2020. Opilio canestrinii in GBIF Secretariat (2019). GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Checklist dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/39omei [accessed 2020-03-05]
  • MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2020. Opilio canestrinii in MNHNL-mdata, online portal combining species observation from Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist and GBIF. National Museum of Natural History, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2020-03-05]
  • Muster, C. & M. Meyer, 2014. Verbreitungsatlas der Weberknechte des Großherzogtums Luxemburg. Ferrantia 70. Musée national d’histoire naturelle, Luxembourg, 112 S. (PDF 3.8 MB)
  • Ries, C., A. Arendt, C. Braunert, S. Christian, A. Dohet, A. Frantz, G. Geimer, M. Hellers, J. A. Massard, X. Mestdagh, R. Proess, N. Schneider & M. Pfeiffenschneider, 2017. Environmental impact assessment and black, watch and alert list classification after the ISEIA Protocol of invertebrates in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 119: 63-70. [PDF 360 KB]
  • Weber, D. (Hrsg.), 2014. Die Höhlenfauna Luxemburgs. Ferrantia 69. Musée national d’histoire naturelle Luxembourg, 408 pp. + CD-Rom (PDF 19 MB)
  • Wikipedia contributors, 2019. Opilio canestrinii. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 17 January 2019, 10:39 UTC, &lt;https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Opilio_canestrinii&amp;oldid=878854172&gt; [accessed 2020-03-05]

 Page content last updated on 2021-05-14. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-12-10.

Dermacentor marginatus Leach, 1815

English Sheep tick Status LU: absent
Lëtzebuergesch Schofszeck Status Eur.: established.
Français n/a RA: ISEIA: C0. Harmonia+: n/a.
Deutsch Schafzecke Wikipedia: Wikipedia - Français - Dermacentor marginatus Wikipedia - Deutsch - Schafzecke | Wikispecies: Wikispecies - Dermacentor marginatus
Nederlands  n/a Back to the list of invertebrates

Important note

In 2015, six Dermacentor ticks were collected in SE-Luxembourg. Previously, these individuals had been identified as Dermacentor marginatus Leach, 1815. However, morphological re-investigation as well as DNA barcoding identified the specimens as Dermacentor reticulatus (Fabricius, 1794). Thus only D. reticulatus is known from Luxembourg (Weigand et al. 2020).

Brief description

Dermacentor marginatusDermacentor marginatus Leach, 1815 is a species of tick of the family Ixodidae, which is a vector of several zoonotic diseases, which is why this tick is considered to pose particular eco-epidemiological and public health risks for humans (Wikipedia contributors 2019).

In Central Europe the sheep tick is the most common species of the genus. It lives here only in heat islands and on sunny slopes or dry grasslands. Mammals, including humans, are preferred as hosts. The animals of the genus transmit tularemia (Francisella tularensis), Rocky Mountain spotted fever (Rickettsia richettsii), Q-fever (Rickettsia burneti), bovine anaplasmosis, puppy-babesiosis (Babesia canis) (Source: http://www.ijon.de/zecken/system.html#zecke).

It is one of the species that could be favoured by global warming, which would allow it to move northwards, but also upwards (Wikipedia contributors 2019).

Status and distribution in Luxembourg

The tick Dermacentor marginatus Leach, 1815 is absent from Luxembourg.

Risk assessment

ISEIA protocol

Following the morphological re-investigation as well as DNA barcoding that identified all the specimens as Dermacentor reticulatus (Fabricius, 1794) (Weigand et al. 2020), Dermacentor marginatus is considered absent from Luxembourg and was reassessed on 29 October 2020 to C0 (2+1+2+1). Initial assessment: C1 (2+1+2+1) (Ries et al. 2017: 68).

Harmonia+ protocol

Not assessed yet.

Worldwide distribution

Bibliography

  • Direction de la Santé, 2016. Attention aux tiques! Comment se protéger? Dépliant. Luxembourg. URL: https://sante.public.lu/fr/prevention/tiques/
  • GBIF, 2020. Dermacentor marginatus in GBIF Secretariat (2019). GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Checklist dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/39omei [accessed 2020-03-05]
  • Ries, C., A. Arendt, C. Braunert, S. Christian, A. Dohet, A. Frantz, G. Geimer, M. Hellers, J. A. Massard, X. Mestdagh, R. Proess, N. Schneider & M. Pfeiffenschneider, 2017. Environmental impact assessment and black, watch and alert list classification after the ISEIA Protocol of invertebrates in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 119: 63-70. [PDF 360 KB]
  • Weigand, A., J. Teixeira & S. Christian, 2020. First record of Hyalomma marginatum sensu stricto C.L. Koch, 1844 and distribution of Dermacentor reticulatus (Fabricius, 1794) (Acari, Ixodidae) in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. nat. luxemb. 122 : 253-263.
  • Wikipedia contributors, 2019. Dermacentor marginatus. Wikipédia, l’encyclopédie libre. URL: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dermacentor_marginatus [accessed 2020-03-05]

 Page content last updated on 2022-04-27. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-12-10.

Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852)

English Red swamp crayfish Status LU: absent.
Lëtzebuergesch Roude Suppekriibs Status Eur.: established. IAS of EU concern (2016).
Français Écrevisse de Louisiane RA: ISEIA: A0, Alert List.
Deutsch Roter Amerikanischer Sumpfkrebs Wikipedia: Wikipedia - English - Signal crayfish Wikipedia - Français - Ecrevisse de Californie Wikipedia - Deutsch - Signalkrebs Nederlands | Wikispecies: Wikispecies | CABI
Nederlands Rode rivierkreeft Back to the list of invertebrates

Brief description

Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852) is a species of cambarid freshwater crayfish, native to northern Mexico, and southern and southeastern United States, but also introduced elsewhere, where it is often an invasive pest. P. clarkii is typically dark red, with long claws and head, small or no spines on the sides of its carapace just below the head, and rows of bright red bumps on the front and side of the first leg (Wikipedia contributors 2020).

The red swamp crayfish is most commonly found in warm fresh water, such as slowly flowing rivers, marshes, reservoirs, irrigation systems and rice paddies. It is considered to be the most ecologically plastic species in the order Decapoda, and is able to grow quickly even in only seasonally present water, being able to tolerate dry spells of up to four months. The red swamp crayfish grows quickly, and is capable of reaching weights in excess of 50 g, and sizes of 5.5–12 cm long. It is also able to tolerate slightly saline water, which is unusual for a crayfish. Additionally, P. clarkii are physiologically capable of tolerating relatively low dissolved oxygen concentrations. The average lifetime of Procambarus clarkii is five years (Wikipedia contributors 2020).

The burrowing activities of the red swamp crayfish can lead to damage to water courses and to crops, particularly rice, and its feeding can disrupt native ecosystems. It may out-compete the native crayfish species, and is a vector for the crayfish plague fungus Aphanomyces astaci, for crayfish virus vibriosis, and a number of worms parasitic on vertebrates. Their burrowing activities may also be a threat to civil infrastructure such as storm ponds and levees (Wikipedia contributors 2020).

Status and distribution in Luxembourg

There is no documented occurrence of Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852) in Luxembourg yet (MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF 2020).

Risk assessment

ISEIA protocol

A0 (3+3+3+3) = Alert List (Ries et al. 2017: 68).

Harmonia+ protocol

Not assessed yet.

Worldwide distribution

Bibliography

  • CABI, 2019. Procambarus clarkii. In: Invasive Species Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. URL: www.cabi.org/isc [accessed 2020-03-13]
  • MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2020. Procambarus clarkii in MNHNL-mdata, online portal combining species observation from Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist and GBIF. National Museum of Natural History, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [accessed 2020-03-13]
  • Ries, C., A. Arendt, C. Braunert, S. Christian, A. Dohet, A. Frantz, G. Geimer, M. Hellers, J. A. Massard, X. Mestdagh, R. Proess, N. Schneider & M. Pfeiffenschneider, 2017. Environmental impact assessment and black, watch and alert list classification after the ISEIA Protocol of invertebrates in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 119: 63-70. [PDF 360 KB]
  • Wikipedia contributors, 2020. Procambarus clarkii, Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 3 February 2020, 18:43 UTC, <https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Procambarus_clarkii&oldid=939000553> [accessed 2020-03-13]

 Page content last updated on 2021-05-14.

Gammarus tigrinus Sexton, 1939

English n/a Status LU: established. 1st record: 1991.
Lëtzebuergesch Tiger-Floukriibs Status Eur.: established.
Français n/a RA: ISEIA: C2. Harmonia+: n/a.
Deutsch Gefleckter Flussflohkrebs Wikipedia: n/a (2020) | Wikispecies: n/a (2020)
Nederlands Tijgervlokreeft Back to the list of invertebrates

Brief description

Gammarus tigrinus Sexton, 1939 has eliminated some native species in parts of the river Rhine and the Baltic Sea; it is frequently a superior predator in comparison to indigenous species.

See the copyrighted picture at cabi.org

Status and distribution in Luxembourg

Gammarus tigrinus Sexton, 1939 was first documented on 22 May 1991 in the Moselle river across from Bech-Kleinmacher, municipality of Schengen (Massard & Geimer 1992). Dhur (1993) showed that Gammarus tigrinus was present in the Moselle all the way from Schengen to Wasserbillig.

There is no distribution map available because no data has been entered into the Recorder-Lux database so far (MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF 2019).

Risk assessment

ISEIA protocol

C2 (3+1+3+1) (Ries et al. 2017: 68).

Harmonia+ protocol

Not assessed yet.

Worldwide distribution

Bibliography

  • CABI, 2019. Gammarus tigrinus. In: Invasive Species Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. URL: www.cabi.org/isc [accessed 2020-03-13]
  • Dhur, G., 1993. Étude des espèces d’invertébrés immigrées ou introduites dans la Moselle luxembourgeoise et dans les écosystèmes aquatiques qui en dépendent. Historique et répartition actuelle. Centre univ. Luxemb., Dép. Form. pédag., mém. sci., 213 pp.
  • Dhur, G. & J.A. Massard, 1995. Etude historique et faunistique des Invertébrés immigrés ou introduits dans la Moselle luxembourgeoise et ses affluents. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 96: 127-156. [PDF 1896 KB]
  • Massard, J.A. & G. Geimer, 1992. Découverte de Gammarus tigrinus Sexton, 1939 dans la Moselle frontalière entre le Luxembourg et l’Allemagne (Crustacea: Amphipoda). Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 93: 195-198. [PDF 173 KB]
  • Meisch, C. & J.A. Massard, 2015. Les recherches sur les crustacés (Crustacea) du Luxembourg : aperçu historique. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 116: 381-390. [PDF 1,22 MB]
  • MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2019. MNHNL-mdata, online portal combining species observation from Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist and GBIF. National Museum of Natural History, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2019-10-24]
  • Ries, C., A. Arendt, C. Braunert, S. Christian, A. Dohet, A. Frantz, G. Geimer, M. Hellers, J. A. Massard, X. Mestdagh, R. Proess, N. Schneider & M. Pfeiffenschneider, 2017. Environmental impact assessment and black, watch and alert list classification after the ISEIA Protocol of invertebrates in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 119: 63-70. [PDF 360 KB]

 Page content last updated on 2023-09-27. Last proofread by Caroline Grounds on 2019-12-10.

Corbicula fluminalis (O.F. Müller, 1774)

English n/a Status LU: established. 1st record: 1996.
Lëtzebuergesch Asiatesch Kuerfmuschel Status Eur.: established.
Français Corbicule asiatique RA: ISEIA: A2, Black List. Harmonia+: n/a.
Deutsch Feingerippte Körbchenmuschel Wikipedia: Wikipedia - English - Corbicula fluminalis Wikipedia - Français - Corbicula fluminalis Wikipedia - Deutsch - Nederlands | Wikispecies: n/a (2020) | CABI
Nederlands Toegeknepen korfmossel Back to the list of invertebrates

Brief description

Feingerippte, innen und außenCorbicula fluminalis (O.F. Müller, 1774) is a species of freshwater clam, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Cyrenidae. This species is distinct from, but often confused with, the rather similar species Corbicula fluminea. Even though both species are native to Asia, they are both present as introduced species in the United States and Europe, and they are both commonly known as “Asian clams” (Wikipedia contributors 2019).

The original distribution area of Corbicula fluminalis includes the Near East (the type material came from the Euphrates), Central Asia (Uzbekistan) and the Caucasus (Azerbaijan) and North Africa. The animals prefer to live on sandy and muddy river bottoms. Corbicula fluminalis is found today in almost all major Central European rivers, often sympatric with Corbicula fluminea (Wikipedia Editor 2019).

Status and distribution in Luxembourg

Records of Corbicula fluminalis (O.F. Müller, 1774) in Luxembourg. Data source: Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2025-11-15.

In Luxembourg, Corbicula fluminalis (O.F. Müller, 1774) was first found by Klaus Groh on 17 June 1996 in the Moselle river in the municipality of Remich (MNHNL 2000-, Bachmann & Usseglio-Polatera 1999).

An identification sheet of the species has been published by the MECDD in French and German. A flyer about invasive mussels has been published by natur&ëmwelt.

Risk assessment

ISEIA protocol

A2 (3+3+3+3) = Black List (Ries et al. 2017: 68).

Harmonia+ protocol

Not assessed yet.

Worldwide distribution

Bibliography

  • Bachmann V. & P. Usseglio-Polatera, 1999. Contribution of the macrobenthic compartment to the oxygen budget of a large regulated river: the Mosel. Hydrobiologia. 410 (17), 39-46.
  • CABI, 2019. Corbicula fluminalis (O.F. Müller, 1774). In: Invasive Species Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. URL: www.cabi.org/isc [accessed 2020-04-21]
  • MNHNL, 2000-. Corbicula fluminalis (O.F. Müller, 1774) in Recorder-Lux, database on the natural heritage of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Musée national d’histoire naturelle, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2019-10-24]
  • MNHNL, iNaturalist & GBIF, 2019. Corbicula fluminalis (O.F. Müller, 1774) in MNHNL-mdata, online portal combining species observation from Recorder-Lux, iNaturalist and GBIF. National Museum of Natural History, Luxembourg. URL: https://mdata.mnhn.lu [Accessed 2019-10-24]
  • Ries, C., A. Arendt, C. Braunert, S. Christian, A. Dohet, A. Frantz, G. Geimer, M. Hellers, J. A. Massard, X. Mestdagh, R. Proess, N. Schneider & M. Pfeiffenschneider, 2017. Environmental impact assessment and black, watch and alert list classification after the ISEIA Protocol of invertebrates in Luxembourg. Bull. Soc. Nat. luxemb. 119: 63-70. [PDF 360 KB]
  • Wikipedia Bearbeiter, 2019. Feingerippte Körbchenmuschel. In: Wikipedia, Die freie Enzyklopädie. Bearbeitungsstand: 20. Dezember 2019, 15:19 UTC. URL: https://de.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Feingerippte_K%C3%B6rbchenmuschel&oldid=195082277 [accessed 2020-04-21]
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