Comparison of Invasive Apple Snail (Pomacea canaliculata) Behaviors in Different Water Temperature Gradients

Abstract

Pomacea canaliculata (known as invasive apple snail) is a freshwater snail native to South America that was introduced into many countries (including Asia and North America) as a food source or for organic farming systems. However, it has invaded freshwater ecosystems and become a serious agricultural pest in paddy fields. Water temperature is an important factor determining behavior and successful establishment in new areas. We examined the behavioral responses of P. canaliculata with water temperature changes from 25 °C to 30 °C, 20 °C, and 15 °C by quantifying changes in nine behaviors. At the acclimated temperature (25 °C), the mobility of P. canaliculata was low during the day, but high at night. Clinging behavior increased as the water temperature decreased from 25 °C to 20 °C or 15 °C. Conversely, ventilation and food consumption increased when the water temperature increased from 25 °C to 30 °C. A self-organizing map (an unsupervised artificial neural network) was used to classify the behavioral patterns into seven clusters at different water temperatures. These results suggest that the activity levels or certain behaviors of P. canaliculata vary with the water temperature conditions. Understanding the thermal biology of P. canaliculata may be crucial for managing this invasive snail.

Screening the Efficacy and Safety of Molluscicides from Three Leaf Extracts of Chimonanthus against the Invasive Apple Snail, Pomacea canaliculata

“…However, it was abandoned because of the poor market response, and the snail rapidly spread to rice paddies, wild rice, and other freshwater ecosystems. The apple snail has become a serious pest for wetland plants and has a negative influence on biodiversity and the functioning of natural wetland ecosystems [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Hence, the species is listed as one of the world’s 100 worst invasive alien species by the International Union of Conservation of Nature, as well as being listed by the State Environmental Protection Administration of China as a significant and dangerous agricultural invasive alien organism [ 6 , 7 ].…”

Effect of long-term temperature stress on the intestinal microbiome of an invasive snail

“…The optimal temperature for the hatching of P. canaliculata eggs is about 30 • C, with no eggs are laid above 35 • C, and no reproductive activities are carried out below 15 • C (Seuffert and Martín, 2017). The frequency and duration of side crawling of P. canaliculata significantly decreased when the water temperature was decreased from 25 to 20 • C or 15 • C, while the ventilation behavior and food consumption increased when the water temperature was increased from 25 to 30 • C (Bae et al, 2021).…”