Length frequency and morphometric analysis of the non-indigenous red-rimmed melania (Melanoides tuberculata) populations in Slovakia

Abstract

The red-rimmed melania Melanoides tuberculata (O. F. Muller) has been used in the aquarist trade and biocontrol programs, leading to its emergence outside its native range. Two populations of the red-rimmed melania occur in Slovakia. We investigated the morphometric features of mentioned populations and made a comparison. These two populations differ significantly in investigated features. Mean shell length of red-rimmed melania individuals from the Opatovce nad Nitrou was 14.7 mm, while the mean shell length of specimens from Piesťany was 24.4 mm (p < 10−6). Mean shell width, aperture length, and aperture width for specimens from the Opatovce nad Nitrou was 4.4 mm, 4.1 mm, and 2.3 mm, respectively. Mean shell width, aperture length, and aperture width of Piesťany specimens was 7.5 mm (p < 10−6), 7.1 mm (p < 10−6), and 3.8 mm (p < 10−6), respectively. The maximum shell length of specimens from the Opatovce nad Nitrou site was 22–23 mm, while shell length of specimens from Piesťany reached 32–33 mm. Regression analysis of the shell length and shell width, aperture length and aperture width, indicate equivalent relationship of the shell patterns for the two populations. Population structure analysis provided first inside of their population status, identifying a proliferating population at the Opatovce nad Nitrou site, while only adult individuals were observed at the site in Piesťany. The red-rimmed malania is a good candidate for possible biological invasions in thermal waters of temperate zone.