According to Serbian Economist, the noble pen shell (Pinna nobilis)—one of the largest bivalves in the Mediterranean Sea—is no longer being recorded in Montenegrin waters, while the population of the related species Pinna rudis, on the other hand, is growing. This was reported by Radio Televizija Budva, citing data from marine biologists.
According to their information, the mass die-off of the noble pen shell in the Adriatic began several years ago and is linked to the spread of the parasite Haplosporidium pinnae, which infects the mollusk’s tissues and leads to its rapid death. As a result, no living specimens of this species are currently found in the coastal waters of Montenegro.
At the same time, experts note an increase in the population of the related species Pinna rudis, which has proven to be more resistant to the disease. This mollusk is smaller in size and has a different morphology, but occupies a similar ecological niche.
Ecologists emphasize that the disappearance of the pelasturus is a serious loss for the marine ecosystem, as this species plays an important role in water filtration and the maintenance of biodiversity. In this regard, the scientific community is calling for increased monitoring of the marine environment and the development of conservation programs for vulnerable species in the Adriatic Sea.
