Invasive apple snails in wetlands of Selangor Malaysia: species distribution and ecological associations

Yoon Yen Yow, . and Huai En Hah, . and Shyamala Ratnayeke, . and Ji Cheng Phoong Melanie, . and Suganiya Rama Rao, . Invasive apple snails in wetlands of Selangor Malaysia: species distribution and ecological associations. pp. 43-60. ISSN 1823-3902

Apple snails in the genus Pomacea are among the worst invasive species in Southeast Asia. Our objectives were to survey a selection of different wetlands in Selangor for Pomacea verify which species of Pomacea occurred in that location and assess basic environmental parameters associated with their presence and relative abundance. Aquatic parameters including pH and concentrations of selected electrolytes were measured at 25 wetland sites distributed among eight localities in Selangor. DNA from snails collected at each locality was extracted and the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) was sequenced. We detected two of the most successful invaders of this genus: P. canaliculata was found in five localities and P. maculata in two. Both pH and calcium ion concentrations were negatively associated with Pomacea presence. Pomacea were absent in brackish wetlands with high pH and calcium concentrations reflecting possible physiological intolerance or that dispersal into these habitats has yet to occur. P. maculata is reported to tolerate pH as low as 4.5-6; thus most freshwater wetlands in Selangor and most of Malaysia can potentially be invaded. Pomacea canaliculata and P. maculata have demonstrated remarkable capacity for depleting aquatic macrophytes and may cause rapid changes in aquatic plant communities with potential impacts to wetland state and function. Public awareness and environmentally safe recommendations to mitigate the reproduction and spread of this invasive snail is needed for protecting the biodiversity and health of natural wetlands.

Full text available from: Official URL: https://jurcon.ums.edu.my/ojums/index.php/jtbc/iss...

Abstract

Apple snails in the genus Pomacea are among the worst invasive species in Southeast Asia. Our objectives were to survey a selection of different wetlands in Selangor for Pomacea verify which species of Pomacea occurred in that location and assess basic environmental parameters associated with their presence and relative abundance. Aquatic parameters including pH and concentrations of selected electrolytes were measured at 25 wetland sites distributed among eight localities in Selangor. DNA from snails collected at each locality was extracted and the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) was sequenced. We detected two of the most successful invaders of this genus: P. canaliculata was found in five localities and P. maculata in two. Both pH and calcium ion concentrations were negatively associated with Pomacea presence. Pomacea were absent in brackish wetlands with high pH and calcium concentrations reflecting possible physiological intolerance or that dispersal into these habitats has yet to occur. P. maculata is reported to tolerate pH as low as 4.5-6; thus most freshwater wetlands in Selangor and most of Malaysia can potentially be invaded. Pomacea canaliculata and P. maculata have demonstrated remarkable capacity for depleting aquatic macrophytes and may cause rapid changes in aquatic plant communities with potential impacts to wetland state and function. Public awareness and environmentally safe recommendations to mitigate the reproduction and spread of this invasive snail is needed for protecting the biodiversity and health of natural wetlands.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	Apple snails
AGROVOC Term:	Pomacea
AGROVOC Term:	Pomacea canaliculata
AGROVOC Term:	Wetlands
AGROVOC Term:	Rice fields
AGROVOC Term:	Ponds
AGROVOC Term:	Lakes
AGROVOC Term:	Roadside soil
AGROVOC Term:	Irrigation ditches
AGROVOC Term:	Sampling
Depositing User:	Ms. Suzila Mohamad Kasim
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 06:29
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/24663

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