Modelling growth in the critically endangered freshwater mussel Margaritifera auricularia (Spengler, 1793) in the Ebro basin

Here we analyse in detail, for the first time, the growth pattern of the endangered freshwater mussel Margaritifera auricularia in the Ebro basin, a life history trait essential for conservation purposes. We combined information on size and age from captive bred juveniles, together with growth annuli from living preadults studied in the field, and empty shells of preadult and adult individuals. We compared the fit of six types of (asymptotic and...