Freshwater mussels breeding methods for the purpose of conservation programs

Bachelor thesis is written in an overview form of problems breeding freshwater molluscs. At the beginning of the thesis I first evaluate the overall status of the populations in the Czech Republic and then in the world. Next I describe the anatomy and biology of molluscs, especially their reproduction, which is crucial for rearing juveniles in the laboratory or seminatural environment. The return of molluscs populations into the waters ecosystems is problematic in terms of ongoing changes in the biotope, particularly because of the anthropogenic influences and too few suitable host fish, without which it can not complete its glochidia development. To prevent the complete extinction of some species, there have been researched different methods of rearing, which help recover viable populations in the natural water environment. Methods of rearing are also described in this thesis. In the experimental part of the thesis I evaluate types of detritus that have different effects in length gain of mussels. For the experiment was selected freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera), whose population is highly endangered. Freshwater mussels are an important bio-indicator of waters ecosystems, where they have an irreplaceable function, so it is important to regenerate their populations and the overall condition of the biotopes