Impact of Heavy Metals on the Genetic Variation of Coelatura Species

Coelatura species (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Unionidae) show confusion between the different species worldwide. Therefore, a taxonomical revision of some of the Egyptian species was a necessity, basing on the study of their genetic variation and on the impact of the heavy metal pollution in altering the genetic pattern within populations. Also, pollution of freshwater environment by heavy metals may affects adversely bivalves and could be the cause of the extinction of some species. Moreover, the reproductive strategy is one of the parameters that help in the discrimination between mussel species. The present work therefore aims to solve the problem of confusion between the Egyptian Coelatura species, mas regarding these concepts.