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Pomacea are the largest snails in fresh water in North America (left).

Shown right is a channeled applesnail from Hawaii with the operculum.

BioStudies Exotic Species Identification Guide

APPLESNAILS (Pomacea, Marisa, and others)


Family: Ampullariidae

Applesnails of the genus Pomacea lay eggs on solid objects and emergent plants above the water-line in masses that resemble bunches of small grapes. Many are colored (pink, red, green). These egg clusters dry into brittle calcareous masses that become more pale over time and turn white after hatching. Presence of egg masses is often a good clue to the presence of applesnails. Giant rams-horns lay gelatinous eggs under water. Shown right are eggs of island applesnail on a twig. PARASITES: Rat lungworm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis) can be carried by some applesnail species and can infect humans in addition to rats and other animals. This parasite is present in tropical regions, some sites in the Caribbean, and in applesnails in Louisiana. Recent examinations failed to find it in island applesnails in Texas, but not all populations have been studied to date. LEGAL RESTRICTIONS: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and USDA both prohibit all genera and species of applesnails except spiketop applesnail.

Island applesnail (Pomacea insularum) introduced into Texas waters (above) have been genetically shown to be distinct from true channeled applesnail (P. canaliculata) and several other species with channeled shells. Applesnails (Ampullariidae) include species from South and Central America, the Caribbean Islands, Africa, and southern Asia, with a single native species in Florida. There are two major chapters in the applesnail history in the invasive species arenafirst via the aquarium trade and then culture for human consumption. Related mysterysnails (Viviparidae) were once popular in aquarium culture, but Chinese mysterysnail (Bellamya chinensis) and related species had limited tolerance to high temperatures and produced vast amounts of fecal matter. In the 1950s and 1960s, these were largely replaced by South American applesnails, but the term mystery snail was retained by pet stores. Ultimately, spiketop applesnail (Pomacea diffusa, then called P. bridgesii) became the primary snail species sold in the pet trade because it ate algae, but not aquarium plants. In 1979, channeled applesnail (Pomacea canaliculata), and perhaps related species, were taken from Argentina to Taiwan, the Philippines, and elsewhere in Southeast Asia to be reared for human consumption under the name golden apple snail. When no Asian escargot industry, these snails escaped or were released. Unfortunately, they then became major threats to rice and taro crops in the region. Other introductions occurred in Hawaii, Central America, and other countries. Additionally, as the aquarium hobby turned to silk and plastic aquarium plants, plant-eating applesnail species that were unacceptable earlier, now began to appear again in pet stores. Escapes and releases occurred at sites throughout the U.S. and around the world. Some of these same snails were also found to host parasitic worms that could infect humans. Applesnails have now become ecological, agricultural, and public health concerns in many countries.

Robert G. Howells BioStudies


160 Bearskin Trail, Kerrville, Texas 78028 biostudies@hctc.net May 2009
Images and materials herein are not available for reuse or other applications without written permission of the author.

Among ca 50 species of Pomacea, ca 15 have channeled shells with groves between the whorls, including channeled (P. canaliculata), island (P. insularum), and titan (P. haustrum) applesnails. Spiketop (P. diffusa) and Florida (P. paludosa) applesnails lack these channels.

Spiketop Channeled-complex APPLESNAILS

Florida

APPLESNAILS WITH CHANNELED SHELLS CHANNELED P. canaliculata - Reddish-pink eggs - AZ, CA, FL, HI ISLAND P. insularum - Pink eggs - AL, LA, FL, GA, TX TITAN P. haustrum - Green eggs - E Central FL

Two primary genera of applesnails are of concern in the U.S.: Pomacea, with one native and three exotic species, and giant rams-horn snail (Marisa), with a single exotic species. Pomacea are globular and some Pomacea species reach 6 (152 mm) in shell height. Both have opercula (trap doors) that cover the aperture when they withdraw. Giant ramshorn coils like a rams horn and reaches ca 1.5 (38 mm) in diameter. Pomacea breathe with both gills and a lung-like structure that allow feeding on land and in the water. Giant rams-horn rarely if ever leaves the water. Channeled, island, and Florida applesnails and giant-rams horn feed on macrophytes; spiketop applesnail eats algae, periphyton, and rotting plants. Channeled and island applesnails have better tolerance to cold temperatures than do Florida or spiketop species. Giant rams-horn has only been able to survive north of Florida in thermally-stable springs. Spiketop and channeled applesnails occur in a variety of color morphs including white, gold, black, etc. The body and shell may be the same or different colors. Shown left are gold and blue (white shell, black body) spiketop applesnail morphs. Giant rams-horn occurs in a variety of banding patterns as well as gold and blonde morphs (left and below).

APPLESNAILS WITHOUT CHANNELED OR GLOBULAR SHELLS FLORIDA P. paludosa - White eggs - FL, GA, AL SPIKETOP P. diffusa (= bridgesii) - Tan eggs - FL
GIANT RAMS-HORN M. cornuarietis - clear, gelatinous eggs - FL, TX

Chinese mysterysnail (Bellamya chinensis; below far left) and related species (Viviparus, Campeloma) are similar to applesnails, but give live birth and have shells with higher spires. Most are unbanded. This exotic species has been introduced in Texas. Native rams-horn snails (e.g., Helisoma, Planorbella; below left) lack opercula, are not banded, and do not grow as large as giant rams-horn (juvenile below right). Identification of applesnails can be difficult and may require genetic DNA confirmation in some cases. Some of the species above have been unsuccessfully introduced in other states, as have other applesnails that have not had species identification confirmed.

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