Genetic evidence confirms the presence of the Japanese mystery snail, Cipangopaludina japonica (von Martens, 1861) (Caenogastropoda: Viviparidae) in northern New York

Another mystery snail in the Adirondacks: DNA barcoding reveals the first record of Sinotaia cf. quadrata (Caenogastropoda: Viviparidae) from North America

“…During the summer months, the park is a popular destination for hikers, boaters and recreational anglers from around the country, and while New York State environmental regulators have implemented policies and rules aimed at minimizing the potential for non-indigenous species (NIS) introductions, the sheer size of the Adirondack region combined with a small workforce make enforcing such policies difficult. The lakes and rivers of the Adirondack region are now home to several non-indigenous molluscs including the zebra and quagga mussels ( Dreisenna polymorpha and D. bugensis ), New Zealand mud snail ( Potamopyrgus antipodarum ), and three viviparids: the Chinese and Japanese mystery snails ( Cipangopaludina chinensis and C. japonica ), and the banded mystery snail ( Viviparus georgianus ) (David et al 2017; David and Cote 2019). In July 2020, three snails were collected from a boat launch site just outside the Adirondack Park and less than 1 km from the St. Lawrence River as part of a long-term biomonitoring survey for aquatic invasive species (Fig.…”

“…1). Using a rapid assessment protocol outlined by David and Cote (2019), sampling was carried out at each site for exactly one hour in the shallows (maximum depth – 1.2 m). All specimens were transported live to the David Lab at Clarkson University and sorted by Family and Genus using conchological characteristics and the identification key of Jokinen (1992).…”

“…Based on the results from this study, the occurrence of Sinotaia quadrata in New York represents the first report of the species on the North American continent and the fourth alien viviparid in New York waters, the third of which is of Asian origin. Considering that only three individuals were recovered from this survey along with the fact that the species has never been reported from the same sites in previous surveys (David et al 2017, David and Cote 2019), their occurrence likely represents a very recent introductory event. While conchological comparisons was initially used to delineate S. quadrata from other viviparids in the region, these shell traits were admittedly difficult to comparatively characterize due to their variable nature among viviparids.…”

“…For example, Kagawa et al (2019) found that shell morphology of Sinotaia spp. in their native range can change due to environmental influences while in Cipangopludina japonica , significant variation in spire height and angle have been observed between specimens from its native and invasive ranges (David and Cote 2019). Like recent studies by Arias et al (2020) and Stelbrink et al (2020), the current study recovered two Bellamyinae clades – A and B.…”

“…quadrata does spread deeper into the Adirondack Park, its invasive potential will be high. The high fecundity and brooding behavior of S. quadrata (the latter resulting in increased survivorship rates) combined with the fact that viviparids have been found to exhibit a broad tolerance to various environmental stressors including as pH and temperature (David and Cote 2019; David et al 2020) means that the species can very well become the third invasive viviparid from Asia to become established in the Adirondack Park. Ovando and Cuezzo (2012) found that S. quadrata in South America can alter native plant biomass which in turn can cause disruptions in community structure.…”