Ecological patterns and spatial distribution of medicinal mollusks in a freshwater ecosystem

The Lake Taihu wetland in the Yangtze River Delta is a key freshwater ecosystem. Medicinal mollusks act as intermediate hosts for multiple parasitic diseases, yet their distribution patterns and public health implications along the northern shore of Lake Taihu remain insufficiently characterized.

Field surveys were conducted between 2022 and 2023 at 48 sampling sites in Zhushan Bay, Meiliang Bay, and Gonghu Bay. A total of 1605 mollusk samples were collected using multiple sampling methods. Species were identified morphologically, and diversity indices were calculated. Spatial hotspots were analyzed using ArcGIS, and a mollusk-parasite network was constructed using Cytoscape. Inter-bay differences were assessed using statistical analyses.

Twenty mollusk species were identified, with Viviparidae showing the highest density and Planorbidae the greatest species richness. Sinotaia aeruginosa was the dominant species. Radix swinhoei and R. plicatula occupied key positions within the parasite transmission network. Zhushan Bay exhibited the lowest community evenness, and hotspot analysis identified spatially aggregated high-risk areas.

Medicinal mollusks along the northern shore of Lake Taihu exhibit high diversity and density, with Zhushan Bay representing a critical area for parasite transmission. Targeted control strategies focusing on key host species and high-risk ecological nodes are recommended to support risk early-warning systems and reduce regional mollusk-borne parasitic disease risks.