Content uploaded by Antonio Torralba-Burrial
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Antonio Torralba-Burrial on Jun 18, 2014
Content may be subject to copyright.
A preview of the PDF is not available
First European record of the giant ramshorn snail Marisa comuarietis (Linnaeus, 1758) (Gastropoda: Ampullariidae) from northern Spain
Abstract and Figures
The South American giant ramshorn snail Marisa cornuarietis is reported for the first time in Europe, inhabiting a freshwater natural ecosystem in northern Spain. We present a diagnosis of the species in order to facilitate the recognition of this new European alien species and its differentiation from other native freshwater snails. We also include brief notes on its biology and ecology at its new locality. Finally, we discuss its invasive potential and the possible impacts that it may cause in the native ecosystems if it becomes invasive.
Figures - uploaded by Antonio Torralba-Burrial
Author content
All figure content in this area was uploaded by Antonio Torralba-Burrial
Content may be subject to copyright.
Supplementary resource (1)
... During recent decades there has been an alarming increase in the number of non-indigenous species establishing populations worldwide (Simberloff 2014). Therefore, the early detection of these non-native species is crucial for proper management and for preventing or mitigating potential threats (Arias and Torralba-Burrial 2014;Pochon et al. 2015;Tricarico et al. 2017). In this regard, molecular tools have been proven useful for species identifications, early detection and effective ecosystem monitoring when facing invaders (Ardura et al. 2017). ...
... Even so, future samplings are required in the area of study to confirm the persistence of this species in Nora River. A common introduction pathway of non-native species in aquatic environments is the aquarium trade; many gastropod species, including Sinotaia spp., have been introduced unintentionally in association with ornamental plants or fishes (Arias and Torralba-Burrial 2014;Ng et al. 2016;Patoka et al. 2017). The common water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) ...
A multisource approach to assessing freshwater biodiversity reveals the first occurrence of the Asian freshwater snail Sinotaia cf. quadrata (Gastropoda, Viviparidae) in inland waters of the northern Iberian Peninsula (Spain) and southwestern France. We present a detailed characterization, combining morphological traits and molecular tools for a genetic identification, and illustration of the species and its ultrastructure, as well as key information regarding its reproductive biology and ecology at the new locations. We discuss the most plausible introduction pathways and vectors, its potential invasiveness and the subsequent impacts that it may generate in the receiving localities. Our preliminary results raise concerns about the threat of Sinotaia cf. quadrata to human health and ecosystem dynamics, since this species acts as an intermediate host for several parasite species. Finally, this study confirms once again the usefulness of an integrative taxonomical approach for shedding light on hidden biodiversity and the invasion of freshwater ecosystems.
... Records of these introduced species have a great importance. For example, M. tuberculata and P. cf. maculata are included in the Spanish Catalogue of Invasive Alien Species (RD 630/2013) due to the incalculable damage they cause in other regions of Spain such as the Ebro River Basin [34]. Also important is P. duryi, which have developed an invasive behavior in other countries [73]. ...
Land and freshwater molluscs are the most abundant non-arthropod invertebrates frominland habitats worldwide, playing important ecological roles and some being important pestsin agriculture. However, despite their ecological, and even economic and sanitary importance,their local diversity in many European regions is not perfectly understood, with a particularlynotableknowledge gap in the northern Iberian malacofauna. This work aims at providing a revisedchecklist of continental gastropods and bivalves from the Asturias (northern Spain), based on theexamination of newly collected and deposited material and on the critical analysis of publishedand gray literature. A total of 165 molluscan species are recognized. Ten species constitute newrecords from Asturias and seven from northern Iberian Peninsula. Seventeen species are introduced orinvasive, evidencing the current increase of the bioinvasion rate in continental molluscs. Furthermore,all these exotic species are parasite transmitters or trematode intermediate hosts, and thus representa potential bio-sanitary risk for human and other animal health. The provided data strongly suggestthat the increase of invasive freshwater snail species can lead to an increase in parasitic infections,and this is a crucial point that transcends the merely scientific to the political-social sphere.
... The observation of two allochthonous species from very distant places (Australasia and Americas) arriving at the same area, at very similar time points, and the finding of live specimens in nearby horticultural facilities, supports this hypothesis as the most likely. The observations of three new Lymnaeidae species arrived in the last years to Spain (including G. schirazensis) are in clear agreement with the ever increasing number of alien aquatic mollusc species found in Europe in recent years, as is the case for Pomacea maculata Perry, 1810 precisely at the Ebro Delta (López Soriano et al., 2009), or other species at different places such as Sinotaia quadrata (Benson, 1842) (Cianfanelli et al., 2017), Marisa cornuarietis (Linnaeus, 1758) (Arias & Torralba Burrial, 2014;Frisóczki et al., 2016), Bellamya chinensis (Gray, 1834) (Soes et al., 2011), Sinanodonta woodiana (Lea, 1834) (López- , several Corbicula species (Quiñonero , Euglessa compressa Prime, 1852 (Mouthon & Forcellini, 2017), and some other less prominent or not yet established species. ...
The populations of two allochthonous Lymnaeid species, recently recorded for the first time from Europe at the Ebro Delta (NE Iberian Peninsula), are here revaluated, noticing their quick expansion and confirming ther invasive status.
... Several studies have documented the spread of apple snails in recent decades Rawlings et al., 2007;Hayes et al., 2008;Campos et al., 2013;Lv et al., 2013;Arias & Torralba-Burrial, 2014). Despite the impact of apple snails in rice, less than 50 peer-reviewed studies have focused on the field ecology and behaviour of native and non-native apple snails in rice paddies or their impact on rice production (Horgan 2017a). ...
This review relates the ecology and physiology of apple snails (Ampullariidae) to their impact on rice-production systems. Two species in particular, Pomacea canaliculata and Pomacea maculata, have been introduced to several rice-growing regions. Flooded rice systems represent a high-quality habitat for these apple snails because of similarities in the environmental conditions (water temperature, salinity, pH, water flow velocity) necessary for both rice production and for snail survival and development. Furthermore, amphibious respiration, a capacity to aestivate during dry periods, as well as cold acclimation and tolerance (particularly in P. canaliculata), increases the resilience of apple snails to rice farming practices, including agrochemical applications, intermittent drainage and crop rotations – under a wide range of climatic conditions. Risks to regional rice production depend on four principal factors: these are (a) regional climate, (b) regional rice-production systems, (c) prevailing production practices, and (d) the presence/absence of invasive, non-native apple snails. Based on these criteria, lowland irrigated rice in tropical and subtropical regions that is wet-direct seeded is most vulnerable to damage from both native and non-native apple snails (albeit with greater losses from non-native snails because of normally higher densities). Adequate quarantine regulations, particularly in vulnerable tropical regions that are adjacent to centres of recent outbreaks (e.g. India and Bangladesh adjacent to Myanmar, Peru and Colombia adjacent to Ecuador) and attention to the preparedness of farming systems could reduce potential impacts as these highly invasive snails continue to spread. The urgent development of labour-saving crop-establishment methods that reduce dependencies on chemical molluscicides is necessary to achieve sustainable rice production in regions at risk from non-native apple snails.
... As noted by Tlusty et al. (2013), implementing responsible practices in the aquarium trade can convey conservation problems by limiting risks for native fauna and protecting native ecosystems even as it yields economic and educational benefits and impacts. Thus, the importance of effectively reducing new introductions of potential invaders is obvious, and this accords, too, with EU Regulation No. 1143/2014(Schulz and Della Vedova 2014 and with the Commission Implementing Regulation No. 2016/1141 (Juncker 2016) on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species. Incidental fauna appears to be significantly more dangerous than are ornamental species as measured by their invasive potential and because they can easily escape from captivity (Blackburn et al. 2011) as they are often released in waste water from aquaria. ...
Because biological invasions may cause loss of biodiversity, accurate predictions are necessary for implementing effective restrictions aimed at specific high-risk taxa. The majority of freshwater macroinvertebrate invaders are molluscs and crustaceans. The pet trade has been considered one of the
main pathways for new introductions of such species. Risk assessment is usually focused on traded ornamental species whereas, despite their potential importance, incidental ‘‘hitchhiking’’ molluscs are usually
given only minimal consideration. We surveyed the Czech Republic, which is one of the leading markets
for aquarium species in the European Union (EU), and found 41 freshwater mollusc species (25 ornamental
gastropods, 6 ornamental clams, and 10 ‘‘hitchhiking’’ gastropods) representing 13 families. We extrapolated
data from the Czech Republic and, using Climatch v. 1.0, matched the climate in each species’ native range
to the entire territory of the EU. We also assessed the risk associated with each species by FI-ISK. ‘‘Hitchhiking’’
gastropods were found to be significantly more hazardous and with higher potential to become established within the EU than were ornamental gastropods and bivalves. Many ‘‘hitchhikers’’ may be easily overlooked due to their small size and cryptic coloration or shape. Thus, they easily can be accidentally imported in association with aquarium plants. Therefore, we recommend here to disinfect imported ornamental plants to eradicate these unwanted faunal assemblages.
... According to the recently accepted system, Marisa cornuarietis belongs to the family Ampullariidae and native in Central and South America and has moderately recently been introduced into Cuba (1940), Puerto Rico (1952), Florida (1970's) and Texas (1990's) (Cowie & Thiengo, 2003, Hayes et al. 2009, Ghesquiere 2016). In outdoor waters of Europe it was first reported not long ago from Spain (Arias, Torralba & Burrial 2014). The Hungarian outdoor population surely represents a recent introduction because the previous study in the Eger stream region carried out during 2013– 2014 did not mention presence of this easily recognizable species (Gál 2016). ...
The species Lathecla carolyna Busby, 2015 described recently from Ecuador is reported to occur also in Venezuela and Colombia. An additional Peruvian occurrence of L. mimula (Draudt, 1920) is also documented.
... This case demonstrates three trophic levels which may be carried simultaneously. Moreover, there are some other related freshwater snail species introduced via the pet trade and recorded as invasive in Europe [34][35][36][37] . In addition, the import to and spreading the import to and spreading of snails belonging to the genus Pomacea within the European Union (EU) have been totally banned of snails belonging to the genus Pomacea within the European Union (EU) have been totally banned by the European Commission (Commission Implementing Decision 2012/697/EU of 8 November 2012), but no restrictions have focused especially on incidentally transported gastropods. ...
In recent years, the keeping of ornamental freshwater animals and plants in garden ponds has been growing in popularity. Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is one of the preferred macrophytes seasonally imported mainly from South-eastern Asia throughout the world. This constitutes a secondary introduction inasmuch as the species is native to South America. Although many assemblages of aquatic invertebrates have been described as associated with this plant in the wild, there has been no research focused on their potential introduction via the international plant trade. We examined 216 specimens of water hyacinths imported for ornamental purposes from Indonesia into the Czech Republic. Numerous meio- and macroinvertebrates belonging to at least 39 species were captured. On the total number of individuals, the highest prevalence was of Tubulinea and Rotifera. Most of these were still alive and vital, including a caterpillar of the Indo–Australian invasive moth Spodoptera litura. Water hyacinths are usually placed into outdoor ponds immediately after import, which facilitates the release of non-target alien species. The present paper aims to draw attention to “hitchhikers” associated with the ornamental trade.
This datasheet on Marisa cornuarietis covers Identity, Overview, Distribution, Dispersal, Hosts/Species Affected, Diagnosis, Biology & Ecology, Natural Enemies, Impacts, Uses, Prevention/Control, Further Information.
The ornamental pet trade is often considered a key culprit for conservation problems such as the introduction of invasive species (including infectious diseases) and overharvesting of rare species. Here, we present the first assessment of the biodiversity of freshwater molluscs in the ornamental pet trade in Singapore, one of the most important global hubs of the ornamental aquarium trade, and discuss associated conservation concerns. We recorded freshwater molluscs from ornamental pet shops and major exporters including non-ornamental species (e.g., hitchhikers, molluscs sold as fish feed). We recorded an unexpectedly high diversity—59 species—of freshwater bivalves and gastropods, with the majority (38 species or 64%) being from the Oriental region. In addition to morphological examination, we sequenced the DNA barcode region of mitochondrial CO1 and 16S genes to provide molecular data for the confirmation of the identification and for future re-identification. DNA barcodes were obtained for 50 species, and all but four were separated by > 3% uncorrected pairwise distances. The trade has been considered a main introduction pathway for non-native species to Singapore, and we found that out of 15 species in the trade as well as in the wild in Singapore, 12 are either introduced or of unknown origin, representing almost half of the known non-native freshwater molluscs in Singapore. Particularly prevalent are non-ornamental species: six hitchhikers on aquarium plants and six species sold as fish feed. We found that a quarter of the trade species have a history of introduction, which includes 11 known or potentially invasive species. We conclude that potential overharvesting is difficult to assess because only half of the trade species have been treated by IUCN. Of these, 21 species are of Least Concern and three are Data Deficient. Our checklist, with accompanying DNA barcodes, images, and museum vouchers, provides an important reference library for future monitoring, and constitutes a step toward creating a more sustainable ornamental pet trade.
The conservation status in the Brazilian territory of the freshwater cosmopolitan snail "Physa marmorata Guilding, 1828" it is critically analyzed as their valid inclusion in the recent “Official List of the Brazilian
Fauna Threatened Extinction” ...
Apple snails (Ampullariidae) are a diverse family of pantropical freshwater snails and an important evolutionary link to the common ancestor of the largest group of living gastropods, the Caenogastropoda. A clear understanding of relationships within the Ampullariidae, and identification of their sister taxon, is therefore important for interpreting gastropod evolution in general. Unfortunately, the overall pattern has been clouded by confused systematics within the family and equivocal results regarding the family's sister group relationships. To clarify the relationships among ampullariid genera and to evaluate the influence of including or excluding possible sister taxa, we used data from five genes, three nuclear and two mitochondrial, from representatives of all nine extant ampullariid genera, and species of Viviparidae, Cyclophoridae, and Campanilidae, to reconstruct the phylogeny of apple snails, and determine their affinities to these possible sister groups. The results obtained indicate that the Old and New World ampullariids are reciprocally monophyletic with probable Gondwanan origins. All four Old World genera, Afropomus, Saulea, Pila, and Lanistes, were recovered as monophyletic, but only Asolene, Felipponea, and Pomella were monophyletic among the five New World genera, with Marisa paraphyletic and Pomacea polyphyletic. Estimates of divergence times among New World taxa suggest that diversification began shortly after the separation of Africa and South America and has probably been influenced by hydrogeological events over the last 90 Myr. The sister group of the Ampullariidae remains unresolved, but analyses omitting certain outgroup taxa suggest the need for dense taxonomic sampling to increase phylogenetic accuracy within the ingroup. The results obtained also indicate that defining the sister group of the Ampullariidae and clarifying relationships among basal caenogastropods will require increased taxon sampling within these four families, and synthesis of both morphological and molecular data. (C) 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 98, 61-76.
