Invasive apple snails in wetlands of Selangor, Malaysia: Species, distribution, and ecological associations

Phoong, Melanie J. C. and Hah, H. E. and Suganiya, R. R. and Yow, Yoon Yen * and Ratnayeke, Shyamala * (2018) Invasive apple snails in wetlands of Selangor, Malaysia: Species, distribution, and ecological associations. Journal of Tropical Biodiversity and Conservation (JTBC), 15. pp. 43-60. ISSN 2550-1909

[img]
Preview
Text
Yow Yoon Yen Invasive apple snails.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial.

Download (725kB) | Preview
Official URL: https://jurcon.ums.edu.my/ojums/index.php/jtbc

Abstract

Apple snails in the genus Pomacea are among the worst invasive species in Southeast Asia. Our objectives were to survey a selection of different wetlands in Selangor for Pomacea, verify which species of Pomacea occurred in that location, and assess basic environmental parameters associated with their presence and relative abundance. Aquatic parameters including pH and concentrations of selected electrolytes were measured at 25 wetland sites distributed among eight localities in Selangor. DNA from snails collected at each locality was extracted and the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) was sequenced. We detected two of the most successful invaders of this genus: P. canaliculata was found in five localities and P. maculata in two. Both pH and calcium ion concentrations were negatively associated with Pomacea presence. Pomacea were absent in brackish wetlands with high pH and calcium concentrations reflecting possible physiological intolerance or that dispersal into these habitats has yet to occur. P. maculata is reported to tolerate pH as low as 4.5-6; thus most freshwater wetlands in Selangor and most of Malaysia can potentially be invaded. Pomacea canaliculata and P. maculata have demonstrated remarkable capacity for depleting aquatic macrophytes and may cause rapid changes in aquatic plant communities with potential impacts to wetland state and function. Public awareness and environmentally safe recommendations to mitigate the reproduction and spread of this invasive snail is needed for protecting the biodiversity and health of natural wetlands.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Pomacea canaliculata; Pomacea maculata; environmental parameters; cox1 gene; invasive species; wetlands; Selangor
Subjects: Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology
Divisions: Others > Non Sunway Academics
Sunway University > School of Medical and Life Sciences [formerly School of Healthcare and Medical Sciences until 2020] > Dept. Biological Sciences
Depositing User: Dr Janaki Sinnasamy
Related URLs:
Date Deposited: 13 Apr 2021 08:53
Last Modified: 16 Apr 2021 03:08
URI: http://eprints.sunway.edu.my/id/eprint/1724

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item