Freshwater Apple Snail Research Articles

Predicting the Potential Geographic Distribution of Invasive Freshwater Apple Snail Pomacea canaliculate (Lamarck, 1819) under Climate Change Based on Biomod2

Pomacea canaliculata is widely distributed in the Chinese provinces south of the Yangtze River, causing serious damage to aquatic ecosystems, rice cultivation, and human health. Predicting the potential geographic distributions (PGDs) of P. canaliculata under current and future climate conditions in China is crucial for developing effective early warning measures and facilitating long-term monitoring. In this study, we screened various species distribution models (SDMs), including CTA, GBM, GAM, RF, and XGBOOST, to construct an ensemble model (EM) and then predict suitable habitats for P. canaliculata under current and future climate scenarios (SSP1-26, SSP2-45, SSP3-70, SSP5-85). The EM (AUC = 0.99, TSS = 0.96) yielded predictions that were more precise than those from the individual models. The Annual Mean Temperature (Bio1) and Precipitation of the Warmest Quarter (Bio18) are the most significant environmental variables affecting the PGDs of P. canaliculata. Under current climate conditions, the highly suitable habitats for P. canaliculata are primarily located south of the Yangtze River, collectively accounting for 17.66% of the nation’s total area. Unsuitable habitats predominate in higher-latitude regions, collectively covering 66.79% of China’s total land area. In future climate scenarios, the total number of suitable habitats for P. canaliculata is projected to expand into higher latitude regions, especially under SSP3-70 and SSP5-85 climate conditions. The 4.1 °C contour of Bio1 and the 366 mm contour of Bio18 determine the northernmost geographical distribution of P. canaliculata. Climate change is likely to increase the risk of P. canaliculata expanding into higher latitudes.

A smartphone-based crowd-sourced real-time surveillance platform (apple snail inspector) for the invasive snails: a design and development study

BackgroundThe large amphibious freshwater apple snail is an important invasive species in China, but there is currently no method available for their surveillance. The development and popularization of smartphones provide a new platform for research on surveillance technologies for the early detection and effective control of invasive species.MethodsThe ASI surveillance system was developed based on the infrastructure of the WeChat platform and Amap. The user can directly enter the game interface through the WeChat port on their mobile phone, and the system automatically obtains their location. The user can then report the location of apple snails. The administrator can audit the reported information, and all information can be exported to Microsoft Excel version 2016 for analysis. The map was generated by ArcGIS 10.2 and was used to characterize the spatial and temporal distribution of apple snails in Jiangsu Province.ResultsThe architecture of ASI consists of three parts: a mobile terminal, a server terminal and a desktop terminal. We published more than 10 tweets on the official WeChat account of the system to announce it to the public, and a total of 207 users in 2020 and 2021 correctly reported sightings of apple snails. We identified 550 apple snails breeding sites in 2020 and 2021, featuring ponds (81%), parks (17%) and farmland (2%). In addition, most of the locations contained snail eggs, and the reporting times mainly occurred between May and September.ConclusionsThe ASI is an effective surveillance system that can be used to identify the breeding locations of apple snails and provides the basis of prevention and control for its dispersal. Its successful development and operation provide new potential avenues for surveillance of other public health issues.Graphical

Shell size distributions, land use, and water quality relationships of a freshwater apple snail Pomacea canaliculata (Lamarck, 1822) in Maninjau Lake, West Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstract. Takarina ND, Soeprobowati TR, Komala PS, Subehi L, Wojewódka-Przyby? M, Nurdin D. 2023. Shell size distributions, land use, and water quality relationships of a freshwater apple snail Pomacea canaliculata (Lamarck, 1822) in Maninjau Lake, West Sumatra, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 24: 5478-5484. The freshwater apple snail, Pomacea canaliculata (Lamarck, 1822), is a common mollusk in lake ecosystems, including Maninjau Lake, West Sumatra. Despite its presence in Maninjau Lake, the information about its shell size, land use, and water quality variable relationships is very limited. This paper aims to study how the land use surrounding the lake and water quality variables can affect the shell size distributions of P. canaliculata. The samples were collected from several locations representing the varieties of land uses, including settlements, paddy fields, forest covers, and river mouths, along with water quality variables. Statistical analysis was done using ANOVA and validated by Tukey's post hoc test to analyze differences among locations. Pearson’s correlation test was used to analyze the relationship between shell size and water quality variables. The results show that the differences in land use and water quality variables affected the variations of shell length (P < 0.05, F = 4.925) and width (P< 0.05, F = 12.369) of P. canaliculata. The average shell length was 2.709 cm and 2.022 cm for the width. The large shell size was observed in settlement land uses (P< 0.05), and the small shell was observed in forest and paddy field land uses (P< 0.05). The water near settlement land uses was characterized by high temperatures, while colder water was observed in forest and paddy field land uses. Pearson’s test confirms that increases in shell length and width were correlated with increases in temperature and dissolved oxygen.

Eco-toxicological assessment of heavy metals in the freshwater apple snail (Pila ovata) from selected markets in Benin metropolis, Nigeria

Eco-toxicological assessment of heavy metals in the freshwater apple snail (Pila ovata) from selected markets in Benin metropolis, Nigeria

Evaluating the combined use of feeding trials and a micrographic technique to study the natural diet of Pomacea canaliculata

Aquatic macrophytes supply an important link in freshwater systems through their multiple functions and ecosystem services. However, invasive generalist herbivores threatened their diversity and abundance. Pomacea canaliculata, one species of invasive freshwater apple snail, shows generalist macrophyte tendencies. Information about its natural diet would allow better anticipate its impacts but diet studies determining the macrophytes species eaten in natural aquatic environments are lacking. We evaluated the feasibility of identifying and quantifying macrophyte remains in P. canaliculata digestive contents. We performed single species and multiple species trials with five pre-weighed aquatic macrophytes to record the amount ingested of each of them and then dissected the snails to analyse their digestive contents microscopically. Microscopic traits provided ways to characterize macrophytes and distinguish them in combined species trials. Identifiable macrophyte remains highly varied in both single species (4.5–58.0%) and multiple species trials (5.7–35.1%); the total percentage of identifiable remains in the latter was 51–52%. The amount of identifiable remains in the multiple species trial was in general correlated with the amount ingested of each macrophyte although in one case it was strongly overestimated due to leaf fragmentation. The microscopic identification and quantification of macrophyte remains in the digestive contents appears feasible, even with several species that differ in abundance, if feeding trials accompany gut content analyses.

Ecology and Bio-economics of Freshwater Apple Snail Pila globosa in Natore district of Bangladesh

Pila globosa is an economically and commercially valued snail used as food in aquaculture, medicine, and food item in many regions of Bangladesh and other countries. The current study examines the ecology of Pila globosa and determines their current bio-economic situation. Pila globosa were collected from Singra, Lalpur and, Bagatipara upazila of Natore district. It was found 1.5-fold decline of the snail population in the study areas. Pila globosa is an ecological element that actively contributes to preserving a healthy aquatic habitat, which is necessary for biodiversity preservation. On the one hand, snail fauna scientific management is out of date. On the other hand, Pila globosa is still being exploited for fish culture, providing the underprivileged with a means of subsistence and the country with foreign income. By easing pressure on the natural population, the scenario justifies the development of supplemental Pila globosa culture techniques for commercial use.

Effect of Hydrolysis time and Papain Concentration on Some Properties of Apple Snail (Pilla ampullacea) Hydrolysate

content and total peptide content were investigated in the non-farmed freshwater apple snail (Pila ampullacea) to understand its nutritional potential as alternative umami taste enhancer. Apple Snail samples with removed gut content were collected from a local snail non-farm in Surabaya City. Papain enzyme was used. The two variables, hydrolysis time (3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 h) and enzyme concentration (1%, 5%, 10%), was used to produce the apple snail hydrolysate. The result showed that total soluble protein was about 2.1%-7.3%, whereas total peptide content was 5.05-15.73mg/ml. The highest total soluble protein was achieved at 12 hour. Longer hydrolysis time significantly effect on total peptide content of apple snail hydrolysate.

Natural breeding of freshwater apple snail Pila globosa (Swainson) in pond and aquarium

The freshwater apple snail, Pila globosa is one of the most abundant and commercially valued molluscs. Over exploitation of P. globosa for prawn farming is an alarming condition. The present study is aimed at elucidating the breeding behavior and reproduction process of P. globosa. The natural breeding experiment was conducted in two ponds- a 52 decimal pond in Gopalgonj sadar and a 40 decimal pond in Kotalipara. The ponds were prepared by applying lime at the rate of 3 kg/decimal and then filled up with water up to 30cm. Wild snails were stocked at the rate of 600 no./decimal. Organic compost (cow-dung, mustard oilcake and urea at the ratio of 1:1:0.5at the rate of 2.5 kg/decimal respectively) spread throughout the pond. Several male and female specimens were collected from experimental gher and brought to the laboratory aquarium to observe their breeding behavior. At the bottom of aquarium substrate like plastic bottle, marbel, artificial tree etc. were provided for egg laying. Breeding involves three processes: copulation, fertilization and laying. Copulation occurs in water on moist land and it takes about 3-4 hrs, then both separated. Fertilization is internal in P. globosa. Egg laying started 2 or 3 days after copulation. They lay eggs in sheltered places or moist land near water in the dyke. A single female lays eggs average 387.89±167.65 no. per clot at a time. The time elapsed between the first and the last hatchings ranged from 6 to 25 days and for 80% of the 5 egg masses were studied. Considering all the eggs in the egg masses (n=1856) more than 60% of the eggs hatched within 13 days of the first hatching. It needs about 25 days for full clot to be hatched. In the laboratory condition hatching success was observed about 80%.

Non-digestible proteins and protease inhibitors: implications for defense of the colored eggs of the freshwater apple snailPomacea canaliculata

Apple snails (Pomacea Perry, 1810) are successful invaders that cause ecological perturbations, economic losses, and medical issues. A peculiar trait of this snail is a high biological potential, related to the absence of predators of their eggs. Eggs show protease inhibitor (PI) activity, originally ascribed to PcOvo perivitellin in the apple snail Pomacea canaliculata (Lamarck, 1822) but absent in PmPV1, the orthologoue of PcOvo, in eggs of the apple snail Pomacea maculata Perry, 1810. As egg fluid diminishes rat growth rate, an antidigestive effect, similar to plant defenses against herbivory, was hypothesized. However, PI activity has not been characterized in apple snail eggs. Here we identify and partially characterize P. canaliculata egg PI and improve our knowledge of the quaternary structure and evolution of PcOvo. Through N-terminal, transcriptomic or proteomic sequencing, and biochemical validation, we identified a Kunitz-type and a Kazal-type inhibitor that, though at low concentration in the egg, exhibit strong PI activity against trypsin, chymotrypsin, elastase, and subtilisin. Additionally, we report three new subunits for the non-digestible storage protein PcOvo. They are likely products of ancient gene duplication, as their sequences exhibit moderate similarity (30%). To our knowledge, this is the first report of Kazal-type inhibition among invertebrate eggs. Inhibiting varied proteases, PI seems an efficient adaptive trait that limits predator’s capacity to digest egg nutrients.

An adaptable chromosome preparation methodology for use in invertebrate research organisms

BackgroundThe ability to efficiently visualize and manipulate chromosomes is fundamental to understanding the genome architecture of organisms. Conventional chromosome preparation protocols developed for mammalian cells and those relying on species-specific conditions are not suitable for many invertebrates. Hence, a simple and inexpensive chromosome preparation protocol, adaptable to multiple invertebrate species, is needed.ResultsWe optimized a chromosome preparation protocol and applied it to several planarian species (phylum Platyhelminthes), the freshwater apple snail Pomacea canaliculata (phylum Mollusca), and the starlet sea anemone Nematostella vectensis (phylum Cnidaria). We demonstrated that both mitotically active adult tissues and embryos can be used as sources of metaphase chromosomes, expanding the potential use of this technique to invertebrates lacking cell lines and/or with limited access to the complete life cycle. Simple hypotonic treatment with deionized water was sufficient for karyotyping; growing cells in culture was not necessary. The obtained karyotypes allowed the identification of differences in ploidy and chromosome architecture among otherwise morphologically indistinguishable organisms, as in the case of a mixed population of planarians collected in the wild. Furthermore, we showed that in all tested organisms representing three different phyla this protocol could be effectively coupled with downstream applications, such as chromosome fluorescent in situ hybridization.ConclusionsOur simple and inexpensive chromosome preparation protocol can be readily adapted to new invertebrate research organisms to accelerate the discovery of novel genomic patterns across the branches of the tree of life.

The Threat of a Nonnative, Invasive Apple Snail to Oligohaline Marshes along the Northern Gulf of Mexico

ABSTRACT Low, L. and Anderson, C.J., 2017. The threat of a nonnative, invasive apple snail to oligohaline marshes along the northern Gulf of Mexico. Aquatic invasive species continue to be a persistent ecological problem. Management of these species requires understanding of their impact and the conditions favorable for their occurrence. Pomacea maculata is an invasive, nonnative freshwater apple snail threatening wetlands through substantial herbivory. Recent detection of P. maculata in coastal Alabama has raised concerns regarding the susceptibility of estuarine marshes in Mobile Bay and the northern Gulf of Mexico. To evaluate this threat, mesocosms were created to examine snail response to the combined effects of salinity and plant species common to estuaries throughout the region. Over a 5-week period, snails in brackish-water mesocosms (∼10 parts per thousand [ppt], with Juncus roemerianus or Cladium jamaicense) became dormant and neither fed nor reproduced. Snails in freshwater mesocosms (<1 ppt, w...

Taxonomic record and distribution pattern of the freshwater apple snail, Pila globosa (Swainson, 1822) (Mesogastropoda : Pilidae)

A study was carried out on taxonomic record and distribution pattern of the freshwater apple snail, Pila glogosa from January 1995 to December 1996 in different waterbodies of Rajshahi University Campus. In total, 27 generic and 21 species names were recorded including the valid name Pila globosa (Swaindon, 1822). The shell of P. gloosa is thick and globose. The spire is not acuminate and shorter than the body whorl. The apple snail was found to occur in tanks, ponds, ditches and irrigated paddy fields of Rajshahi University Campus, Rajshahi. The apple snail prefered littoral zones of ponds and ditches but shore lines of canals and irrigated paddy fields. Aestivation of the apple snsails took place with the total water loss of the habitats.Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 51(4), 313-318, 2016

Morphometrics, length-weight relationship and ecological factors affecting the habitat of Pila globosa (Swainson, 1822) (Mesogastropoda: Pilidae) located in Rajshahi University campus

The investigation was conducted on morphometrics, length-weight relationship and ecological factors of the freshwater apple snail, Pila globosa (Swainson, 1822) in the habitat of Rajshahi University Campus. The length of shell (SL) (40.09 ± 16.08 mm), length of spire (SPL) (7.63 ± 2.61mm), length of base (LB) (32.52 ± 13.58 mm), width of shell (SW) (37.39 ± 15.72 mm), length of aperture (AL) (27.83 ± 10.42mm) and width of aperture (AW) (16.6 ± 6.46mm) in combined sex were observed. The obesity indices of male were higher than those of female (male =1.10 ± 0.03, female = 1.04 ± 0.01). The total weight in wet condition (TWW) (27.25 ± 25.25g) in combined sex was also recorded. The regression lines between SL/SPL (SL=1.2925+0.1580 SPL), SL/BL (SL = -1.2831 + 0.8432 BL), SL/SW (SL=1.7367+0.9760 SW), SL/AL (SL=1.9303+ 0.6460 AL), SL/AW (SL=0.5239+0.4011 AW), SL/TWW (SL= -3.4225+2.9290 TWW) and SW/TWW (SW=3.1353+2.8060 TWW) in combined sexes were linear, positive and highly significant. Ecological factors from observed value (Ko) of combined sex and from calculated value (Kc) of combined sex were 29.53 ± 4.26 and 29.29 ± 0.95, respectively. Kn values of combined sex were found to be 1.009 ± 0.137Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 51(2), 121-128, 2016

Value-chain analysis of freshwater apple snail (Pila globosa) used for on-farm feeds in the freshwater prawn farming sector in Bangladesh

Growth of the freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) sector in Bangladesh since 1970s has been supported by natural availability of freshwater apple snail (Pila globosa), used for on-farm prawn feeds. The present study identified the current configuration of the value-chain benefits and constraints of freshwater apple snail in south-western Bangladesh in August 2011, based upon Rapid Market Appraisal (RMA) approach. The site of snail collection was Chanda Beel in Gopalganj district, while trading, processing and final consumption was represented by Rayer Mahal Bazar in Khulna district. There were seven different nodes recognized throughout the value chain. Snail marketing was identified as a seasonal business and took place during June to November each year. Between 1995 and 2011 the price of whole snail, meat and shell has increased by 800%, 325% and 315%, respectively. The abundance of snail had been reduced and its demand has increased due to the expansion of the prawn farming industry. Prawn farmers preferred snail meat due to its’ low cost (US$ 0.21 kg-1) as a source of protein compared to commercial prawn feed (US$ 0.41 kg-1). Snail harvesting and processing were considered as additional livelihood options for the poor, where 60% of the labour involved in snail harvesting were women, and 95% the de-shelling workforce. Induced breeding in captivity and sustainable management in nature as well as development of commercial production of apple snails might reduce the pressure on ecosystems and positively contributed to the continued expansion of freshwater prawn farming in Bangladesh. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v3i2.17840 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. &amp; Tech. 3 (2): 22-30, December, 2013

Consumption, survival and growth in the invasive freshwater snail Pomacea canaliculata: does food freshness matter?

Understanding factors that determine the fitness of invasive species may help us predict their spread and impact. Previous studies of the survival, growth and reproduction of Pomacea canaliculata, a freshwater apple snail native to South America now widely spread in Asia, North America and Hawaii, have emphasized the use of fresh leaves as food. We compared the consumption and growth of P. canaliculata reared on fresh and decaying leaves of three species of macrophytes with contrasting content of phenolics (general plant defence chemicals) and nutrients. We conducted 1-day consumption assays using adult snails and a 1-month survival and growth experiment using snails of various sizes. Our results showed that the consumption, survival and growth of P. canaliculata were determined by plant nutrients and phenolics, rather than plant freshness. For Murdannia nudiflora, a species with low phenolic content, fresh leaves with high nitrogen content were more palatable and valuable for growth than decaying leaves with low nitrogen content. Survival was high and not different between the fresh and decaying leaf treatments. For Myriophyllum aquaticum, decaying leaves with moderate nitrogen and low phenolic contents were more palatable and valuable for snail survival and growth than fresh leaves with high nitrogen and high phenolic contents. For Polygonum barbatum, a species with low nitrogen and medium phenolic contents, both fresh and decaying leaves were unpalatable, resulted in low snail survivorship, and did not support snail growth. The results thus indicate that P. canaliculata can utilize both fresh and decaying leaves of adequate levels of nutrients and low levels of phenolics. This dietary flexibility may have contributed to its successful colonization of many types of freshwater wetlands in regions where high-quality fresh leaves are not available throughout the year.

Linkage of cold hardiness with desiccation tolerance in the invasive freshwater apple snail, Pomacea canaliculata (Caenogastropoda: Ampullariidae)

Linkage between cold hardiness and desiccation tolerance was examined in an invasive freshwater apple snail, Pomacea canaliculata, collected from locations in three different climatic zones. Snails collected from temperate Kyushu, Japan, showed enhanced cold hardiness after cold acclimation, and cold-tolerant snails survived longer after exposure to desiccation than cold-intolerant snails without cold acclimation. Progenies of tropical snails collected from Luzon and Mindanao, the Philippines, which had never experienced cold weather revealed the same response as Japanese snails to cold stress: enhancement of cold hardiness after cold acclimation. Cold-tolerant snails from tropical populations also attained better survivorship under desiccation conditions. Thus, linkage of tolerance between cold weather and desiccation appears to be a general feature of P. canaliculata. Cold hardiness of snails before and after cold acclimation, respectively, did not differ among the three populations from temperate and tropical regions. A trend was found for snails from Mindanao, in the tropical rainforest climatic zone (having a milder dry season), to be less desiccation-tolerant than snails from Kyushu and Luzon, having a colder or more severe dry season.

Palatability of macrophytes to the invasive freshwater snail Pomacea canaliculata: differential effects of multiple plant traits

Summary1. By selective grazing, invasive grazers can alter macrophyte‐herbivore relationships in shallow freshwater bodies. Evaluating the palatability of macrophytes and understanding the determinants of plant palatability can help predict grazing impact. In no‐choice feeding assays, we tested the palatability of 21 species of freshwater macrophytes to the invasive freshwater apple snail Pomacea canaliculata.2. Daily feeding rate varied greatly with plant species, ranging from 1.1 to 22% of snail body mass. We assessed six plant properties and examined their correlation with feeding rate. Total nitrogen content was positively related, and C:N ratio and dry matter content (DMC) negatively related, to snail feeding rate. There was no significant correlation between snail feeding rate and plant phenolic content, but the feeding rate on Myriophyllum aquaticum (the plant with the highest phenolic content) was very low.3. We repeated the feeding assays for 15 species that were not palatable as fresh leaves with reconstituted plant tissues formed by mixing ground up dried leaves with agar. The feeding rate still differed greatly among macrophyte species. Phragmites australis and Vallisneria natans (two species with the highest DMC) were eaten much more as reconstituted plant than as fresh leaves, indicating that structure (i.e. DMC) may be important in their defence against snail herbivory. For two plants (M. aquaticum and Alternanthera philoxeroides) that had moderate amounts of nitrogen/phosphorus but were consumed very little as fresh and reconstituted tissues, we incorporated their extracts into a palatable agar‐based food. The extracts from both species greatly reduced snail feeding rate, indicating the presence of chemical defences in these two species.4. These results indicated that feeding was affected by several plant traits. The snail favoured plants with a high nitrogen content and avoided plants with a high DMC. Only a few plants possessed chemical feeding deterrents that were effective against this snail. Given the invasive spread of P. canaliculata in Asia, ecologists and managers should consider plant palatability when selecting plants for use in wetland restoration and when predicting the impact of further invasion by this species.

Learned Predator Recognition in a Freshwater Snail,Pomacea canaliculata

The involvement of associative learning in predator recognition has not been clear in aquatic invertebrates, including molluscs, due to confounding effects of sensitization. The freshwater apple snail, Pomacea canaliculata, displays an alarm response (crawling above the waterline) when exposed to crushed conspecifics or some predators. We conducted two series of experiments to investigate whether the apple snail learns to avoid predators. In the first experiment, hatchlings were conditioned simultaneously to crushed conspecifics and either a live carp, Cyprinus carpio, or a turtle, Chinemys reevesii, and subsequently exposed to the same predator without crushed conspecifics. Irrespective of the predator species used, the alarm response was significantly higher in conditioned snails than in unconditioned snails. Thus, the snail is able to avoid predators by learning, in a broad sense. In the second experiment, designed to distinguish associative learning from sensitization, we conditioned hatchlings to crushed conspecifics and either a carp or a turtle. The hatchlings were subsequently exposed to one or other of the predators. Hatchlings that were conditioned to a predator displayed significantly higher alarm response when later exposed to the same predator than another predator, suggesting that the snail can recognize predators by associative learning.

82. Development of cold hardiness in the freshwater apple snail, Pomacea canaliculata: Lethal factors at low temperature and physiological aspects

82. Development of cold hardiness in the freshwater apple snail, Pomacea canaliculata: Lethal factors at low temperature and physiological aspects

Physiological response to low temperature in the freshwater apple snail, Pomacea canaliculata (Gastropoda: Ampullariidae)

Cold hardiness of the freshwater apple snail, Pomacea canaliculata, varies seasonally. We investigated lethal factors and physiological changes arising from exposure of P. canaliculata to low temperatures. Snails did not survive freezing. The supercooling point of cold-acclimated (cold tolerant) snails (-6.6+/-0.8 degrees C) did not differ significantly from that of non-acclimated ones (-7.1+/-1.5 degrees C) under laboratory conditions. Furthermore, snails died even under more moderately low temperatures approaching 0 degrees C. These results indicate that indirect chilling injury is a factor in the death of P. canaliculata at low temperatures. Regardless of whether the snails were acclimated to low temperatures, all of the dead, and even some of the snails still alive at 0 degrees C, had injured mantles, indicating that the mantle may be the organ most susceptible to the effects of low temperatures. The concentration of glucose in the posterior chamber of the kidney and concentration of glycerol in the digestive gland were significantly higher in cold-acclimated snails than in non-acclimated ones, suggesting carbohydrate metabolic pathways are altered in snails during cold acclimation.