Progress of research on biologically invasive medical molluscs in China

Abstract

Invasion of alien species has increasingly become a major environmental problem that damages human health, economic development and ecological security in China, which has been paid much attention. Until now, there have been 753 invasive species reported in China, and invasive medical molluscs include Pomacea canaliculata, Achatina fulica, and Biomphalaria straminea. This review summarizes the status of biologically invasive species in China, describes the species and distribution of invasive medical molluscs, analyzes the damages of the invasive medical molluscs-transmitted diseases, and proposes the preventive and control measures.