Contrasting effects of climate change on the European and global potential distributions of two Mediterranean helicoid terrestrial gastropods

Abstract

Predicting the impacts of global climate change on the current and future distribution of alien or endangered species is an essential subject in macroecological studies. Although several investigations have been devoted to animal and plant species, few have addressed terrestrial gastropods. We employed spatial distribution modelling to construct European and global potential distribution ranges of two land snails (Cernuella virgata and Hygromia cinctella) using current and future climate scenarios. Both species have been continuously spreading northward from the Mediterranean region, also being introduced to a few areas outside Europe. We found that under the current climate scenario, most presently occupied areas in Europe are also at high probability of future occurrence of these species. However, under four future climatic conditions, these snails will undergo contrasting scenarios. C. virgata will have a large potential gain, likely due to rising temperatures and its weak fluctuations. In this species, global warming increases in potential area size, accompanied by its morphological and physiological adaptations to arid conditions and the ability to passively disperse, are likely to facilitate invasion into new regions of the world. In contrast, there is no significant change in the geographical distribution of colonisation-prone areas for H. cinctella. Our results demonstrate that wetter climatic conditions in the driest season and greater temperature variability will be key limiting factors of its distribution in the future. An understanding of colonisation patterns can help to better manage these invaders and also to formulate policies for their control.

Morphological and Molecular Identification of Some Terrestrial Snails: First Report

“…Overall, molecular data were added to clarify the taxonomic validity and phylogenetic relationships of some land snail species. Climate change might contribute to the extension or invasion of several land snail species around the world (Proćków et al, 2019). Terrestrial snails (such as Monacha cartusiana and Helix lucorum) with Atlantic or Mediterranean distributions rapidly spread northwards throughout Europe (Peltanová et al, 2012).…”

The Influence of Temperature on the Larval Development of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus in the Land Snail Cornu aspersum

“…In conclusion, despite the fact that development to L3 of A. abstrusus is positively influenced by the increase of temperature, this parasite is able to develop also at refrigeration temperatures though with lower efficiency than T. brevior , confirming high adaptation capacities to different environmental conditions [ 32 ]. Temperature and global warming in particular could play a central role in the spreading of the A. abstrusus because other than enhancing its development inside intermediate hosts, it is also implicated in the progressive diffusion of gastropods [ 54 ]. Knowledge on the interactions between lungworms and their intermediate hosts is still to be generated, and future experimental and field studies on this topic are herein encouraged.…”

Reproduction and growth of Xerolenta obvia (Menke, 1828) (Gastropoda: Eupulmonata: Geomitridae) in laboratory conditions

“…X. derbentina was successfully introduced to south-eastern France from Eastern Mediterranean Europe (Kiss et al 2005). In the near future, we may expect a further increase in the number of alien gastropods to expand across Europe and other continents (hattEland et al 2013, sarMa et al 2015, ProćKów et al 2019. Several species, e.g.…”