Scope

Freshwater bivalves are a very important part of biodiversity, increasingly recognized as having key roles in the ecosystems they inhabit. Their global decline has been causing increasing concern. Although in recent decades there has been an increasing number of studies on the ecology and conservation of these animals, the integration of knowledge acquired by different research groups becomes urgent. This approach, in a comprehensive and integrative manner will also help policy makers to establish guidelines, which can then be applied in conservation management of these animals and their natural habitats.

It is under this perspective that we want to introduce the present event that will bring together international experts in biology and conservation of freshwater bivalves that through a cycle of conferences and debates, will be able to create a network of knowledge with the final goal of develop collaborative projects and eventually global directives for the protection and conservation of this important faunistic group.

So, we are inviting you to submit an abstract to the International Meeting on Biology and Conservation of Freshwater Bivalves. There will be several thematic symposia and poster sessions, covering the following subjects:

• Biology and ecology
• Conservation and threats to species and ecosystems
• Invasive species
• Phylogeny and phylogeography
• Systematics and taxonomy
• Physiology and reproduction
• Freshwater bivalves and ecosystem functioning