Identification problems of travelling snail species—new exotic introductions to tropical greenhouses in Gothenburg, Sweden (Gastropoda: Achatinellidae, Strobilopsidae, Helicarionidae)

Abstract

Three previously unreported species of tropical land snails were found in the greenhouses of the Gothenburg (Göteborg) Botanical Garden and the Public Science Center Universeum in Gothenburg. For Tornatellides cf. boeningi (Schmacker & Boettger, 1891) and Ovachlamys fulgens (Gude, 1900) this is the first observed occurrence in a European greenhouse, while Discostrobilops hubbardi (Brown, 1861) was first reported very recently in the Vienna Botanical garden. Tornatellides and Discostrobilops seem to be spread with orchid culture and trade. Identification of the Tornatellides species proved extremely difficult and a genetic sequence-based approach completely failed due to the unavailability of reference data. This was unexpected considering the importance of these introduced species in horticultural trade. A broader assessment of available sequence data for genetic identification based on COI or 16S for other snail species reported from horticultural facilities showed that such reference data in GenBank are still scarce and only for a limited number of species this approach would support identification.

Species identification of introduced veronicellid slugs in Japan

“…The role of nursery trade in both the deliberate and accidental introduction of alien animal species is well known ( White, Kramer & Hudler, 2010 ; Bergey et al, 2014 ). Similarly, botanical gardens, which function as places for the conservation of rare species and academic exhibitions, have been implicated in the early cultivation and/or introduction of various alien plants ( Dawson et al, 2008 ; Hulme, 2011 ; Richling & von Proschwitz, 2021 ) and may also play an important role in introduction of animals.…”

“…However, several species of terrestrial mollusks have been introduced to these islands, most likely by human activities such as plant nursery trade ( e.g ., Hirano et al, 2019d ). In fact, approximately 100 species of terrestrial mollusks worldwide appear to be particularly well-adapted to environmental changes brought about by human activity, and often become highly abundant and characteristic components of invertebrate fauna in modified habitats ( Barker, 2001 ; Cowie et al, 2008 ; Richling & von Proschwitz, 2021 ) and have the potential to invade new areas.…”

The Rapid Expansion of the Jumping Snail Ovachlamys fulgens in Brazil

“…The Japanese jumping snail Ovachlamys fulgens (Gude, 1900) is an interesting case of an exotic snail introduced to Brazil. First described from Naha, Okinawa, Japan [13,14], it has since been introduced to tropical regions in several countries and territories across the world: Taiwan, American Samoa, USA (Hawaii and Florida), Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, and Argentina [4,5,[15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. Further records from shipments originating in Thailand, Singapore, and Colombia still require confirmation [4,23].…”

“…Further records from shipments originating in Thailand, Singapore, and Colombia still require confirmation [4,23]. Finally, it has also been detected as a greenhouse exotic in temperate regions such as Chicago (USA) and Sweden [4,14].…”