Avaliação dos problemas enfrentados no manejo do caramujo gigante africano Achatina fulica (Gastropoda: Pulmonata) no Brasil

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Evaluation of the problems faced in the management of the giant African snail Achatina fulica (Gastropoda: Pulmonata) in Brazil. The giant African snail Achatina fulica Bowdich, 1822 was introduced into Paraná, Brazil, in the 1980s. Since then, it has spread across the country, despite its known invasive status on a global scale. The main objective of this study was to assess the problems faced in the management of the giant African snail. To accomplish that, we gathered and analyzed information available on the internet, scientific databases, field studies, as well as interviews and consultations with official agencies, NGOs, museums, the scientific community and people that coexist with the species.Despite the fact that extensive information has been generated regarding A. fulica (1,340 articles, 65 summaries in national annals, 40,700 pages on the internet), essential to promote control measures to hinder the propagation of this species, the majority of the available information remains inaccessible to the world at large. Moreover, the environmental, economic and health impacts of this species remain unclear, which may contribute to discouraging the initiation of management actions. Finally, control measures are still inefficient due to the generalist profile of this species and the lack of knowledge concerning its biology and ecology. Thus, in conclusion, even though A. fulica has been an invasive species for over a century in many other countries, it is difficult to find evidence supporting the need to subsidize its management. This may be an indication that many other, poorly known exotic species will have time and the proper conditions to become established and cause problems before they come to be recognized as invasive.

<b>Giant african snail, <i>Achatina fulica</i> (Férussac, 1821): an environmental and public health problem in the northwestern of Paraná State, Brazil

“…Achatina fulica is a public health problem for presenting high populations in urban areas and being a potential host of numerous disease-causing pathogens in humans and animals. Colley and Fischer (2009) claimed that the African snail is host of nematodes of the species Angiostrongylus costaricensis Morera & Cespedes, 1971, which causes diseases to human (zoonoses) such as angiostrongyliasis or abdominal angiostrongylosis. This disease can evolve to an intestinal perforation, peritonitis, abdominal bleeding and secondary to mesenteric ischemia, and pronounced eosinophilia (Prasad et al, 2004;Rodriguez et al, 2008), and may even lead to death.…”

“…In a research conducted in the State of Paraná, Colley and Fischer (2009) Currently, the fact of not being considered agricultural pest is controversial, since economic losses in crops occur on a small scale compared to other pests. However, in the case of family farming or organic production, the impact is more severe.…”

“…As the general society be unable to distinguish correctly the invasive species from the native species, manual catch has resulted in threats to native species such as Megalobulimus sp. (Colley & Fischer, 2009), which is harmless and flagship species of the Atlantic Forest (Pecora & Miranda, 2014). Campaigns should be made with caution so as not to induce the population to inadvertently exterminate any mollusk species, since there are several native mollusks.…”

Aspects of biology of Megalobulimus paranaguensis (Gastropoda, Acavoidea) in the coastal plain of the Brazilian southeast

“…There have been records also between the Island of São Vicente, state of São Paulo and the northern coast of the state of Santa Catarina (Agudo-Padron, 2014), coinciding with a geomorphology characterized by large coastal plains between Serra do Mar, and long beaches interspersed by estuaries (Muehe, 1998). After the introduction of the alien snail Achatina fulica Bowdich, 1822 many individuals of M. paranaguensis have been accidentally killed in control campaigns (Colley & Fischer, 2009).…”

Avaliação da atividade moluscicida de extratos vegetais sobre Achatina fulica Bowdich (Mollusca, Achatinidae)

“…Adicionalmente, A. fulica pode atuar como praga agrícola ou levar à perda da biodiversidade local Robinson, 2003), em razão do seu potencial competitivo, predatório (Meyer et al, 2008), ou de transmissão de doenças para animais selvagens (Thiengo et al, 2008). Recentemente, Fischer (2009) relataram impactos à biodiversidade causados pela infestação de A. fulica, tanto decorrentes da competição por espaço e alimento com os moluscos nativos quanto pela interferência na cadeia alimentar.…”