Control of Aquatic Weeds by the Snail Marisa cornuarietis

Seaman, D. E.; Porterfield, W. A.

doi:10.2307/4040601

Cited by 32 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…This is motivated by the fact that the duckweed and water hyacinth plant consumption per snail in our experiment is equal to, or higher than, the highest snail plant consumption rates we have found in the literature. These were reported for two Ampullariids, Pila globosa (Thomas 1975) and Marisa cornuarietis (Seaman and Porterfield 1964) in studies where both these snails were investigated as promising biocontrol agents of aquatic weeds. While duckweed and water hyacinth are almost eradicated by these snail densities, the effect on morning glory biomass and growth is subtler in Note that growth rates of snails feeding on duckweed were excluded from the figure since 90% of this food source was consumed within four days.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

Herbivory on aquatic vascular plants by the introduced golden apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata) in Lao PDR

Carlsson

Lacoursière

2005

Biol Invasions

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The effect of naturally found densities of the exotic and herbivorous golden apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata) on three dominant aquatic plants -duckweed (Lemna minor), water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and morning glory (Ipomoea aquatica) -was assessed in a wetland survey and quantified in a field experiment in Laos in southeast Asia. Snail grazing reduced plant biomass, but plant species were differently affected by grazing. Duckweed had almost disappeared after 6 and water hyacinth after 21 days, whereas morning glory remained at 80% of initial biomass after 32 days. Snail growth was lowest on morning glory and, when all plant species were simultaneously presented to snails, this plant was not preferred. We suggest that the negative effect the golden apple snail had on the growth of these plant species in field enclosures is present in the natural environment as well. This new and intense herbivory could have serious negative effects on invaded freshwater ecosystems in this region.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

Herbivory on aquatic vascular plants by the introduced golden apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata) in Lao PDR

Carlsson

Lacoursière

2005

Biol Invasions

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“…However, the sites from where the snails wet-e collected were free from macrophytes apart for a few reeds. Various authors have demonstrated that M. cornuarietis is a voracious consumer of aquatic macrophytes (Demian & Ibrahim, 1969;World Health Organization, 1982 and references in these), and M. cornuarietis has been suggested as a biological control agent of aquatic macrophytes (Seaman & Porterfield, 1964). In a small pond in Tanzania, 44. cornuarietis consumed Cyperus spp.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Food selection by freshwater snails in the Gezira irrigation canals, Sudan

Madsen

1992

Hydrobiologia

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Stomach content analysis was carried out on samples of the freshwater snail species Biomphalariapfeifferi, Bulinus truncatus, Bulinus forskalii (Pulmonata, Planorbidae), Lymnaea natulensis (Pulmonata, Lymnaeidae), Melunoides tuberculuta, Cleopatra bulimoides (Prosobranchia, Thiaridae) and Lunistes carinutus (Prosobranchia, Ampullariidae) from different irrigation canals in Sudan. In order to evaluate overlap in diet selection among these species, sites with two or more of the above-mentioned species present were selected. For some species food choice was examined in relation to size groupings. In addition, samples of Murisu comuunetis (Prosobranchia, Ampullariidae) from small ponds in Sudan, samples of Biomphuluriu pfezfferi and Helisomu dutyi (Pulmonata, Planorbidae) from drainage canals in an irrigation scheme in northern Tanzania, and samples of H. duryi from fish ponds in the coastal area of Kenya were also analysed.The results indicate a great similarity in the food choice of these species, especially among the pulmonate species. All species feed on fine detritus, epiphytic algae and decaying macrophytes. No fresh fragments of aquatic macrophytes were found and animal remains were found only on a few occasions. However, the stomach contents of the ampullarid species were characterized by large fragments of dead macrophyte tissue, while the composition of the finer particles showed a great resemblance to that of the pulmonate species. The diet of the thiarid species is essentially the same as that of the pulmonate species, although in one site Cleopatra bulimoides showed a greater preference for green algae. Apart from the avoidance of blue-green algae, there was little evidence of selection of certain algal components of the Aufwuchs for the pulmonate species. Detritus constitutes the major component of the stomach content of all these snail species.

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“…When all the weeds were gone, a few snails survived by feeding on the algae and rebuilt their population when the weeds regrew. A major disadvantage with Marisa, however, is that it is a voracious consumer of paddy seedlings (Seaman & Porterfield, 1964;Yeo & Fisher, 1970). Another very large gastropod snail, Achatina fulica Ferussac (size: 10 x 6 cm) found in the Palghat District of Kerala also consumes both Sabinia and paddy plants.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Batches of these insects were recently released in certain Salvinia-infested areas in Kerala and reports on their efficiency as a bio-agent are awaited. Although there have been reports from U.S.A. on the use of snails in controlling aquatic weeds (Seaman & Porterfield, 1964;Yeo & Fisher, 1970), no similar work seems to have been done in India, at least as far as Salvinia control is concerned.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biological control of Salvinia by the snail Pila globosa Swainson

Thomas¹

1975

Biological Journal of the Linnean Society

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The recent spread of Salvinia molesta, a free floating weed in tropical and sub‐tropical regions has attracted attention the world over. In India, many states face serious problems on account of Salvinia infestation. Several methods of controlling the weed have been tried, but with limited success. Biological control by snails, especially Pila globosa, a common tropical snail found in Kerala and other parts of India is suggested. It was found to feed voraciously on Salvinia, but not on paddy which forms a major crop in Kerala and other parts of India. The snail has efficient adaptations for a tropical environment in aquatic, semi‐aquatic and even terrestrial habitats and its flesh is edible. Further studies on the performance of the snails in the field are, however, required.

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Control of Aquatic Weeds by the Snail Marisa cornuarietis

Cited by 32 publications

References 6 publications

Herbivory on aquatic vascular plants by the introduced golden apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata) in Lao PDR

Herbivory on aquatic vascular plants by the introduced golden apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata) in Lao PDR

Food selection by freshwater snails in the Gezira irrigation canals, Sudan

Biological control of Salvinia by the snail Pila globosa Swainson

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