New records of <i>Physa acuta</i> (Gastropoda: Physidae) and the ectoparasite <i>Chaetogaster limnaei</i> (Oligochaeta: Naididae) in central Chile

Abstract

The sewage snail Physa acuta has invaded several countries worldwide. Its presence in Chile was first reported in 2014. Recently, this species was recorded for the first time in the Bullileo Reservoir, central Chile, in association with the oligochaete Chaetogaster limnaei, which was found within the mantle cavity of the snail. The presence of juvenile and adults of P. acuta greater than 10 mm suggests that the species is well adapted to the ecosystem. A prevalence of 39.1% of C. limnaei was recorded for P. acuta, with a range of infestation of 1–4 parasites per host.