Channeled apple snails (Pomacea insularum)
Background
Native apple snails provide a primary food source for the endangered
Everglade snail kite and an important food item in the diets of the
American alligator, limpkins, grackles, ibis, turtles, and fish.
Recently, channeled apple snails (Pomacea insularum)
have received considerable media attention in Florida. This large
non-native freshwater snail from South America is most likely a recent
introduction into Florida, possibly as a contaminate of the ornamental
plant industry. It has been sold in Florida by the aquarium pet
industry.
Environmental Impact
The channeled apple snail is causing concern among scientists because of
its potential to greatly reduce native aquatic plant populations in
Florida lakes and rivers which are an important habitat for native fish
and wildlife. Anecdotal information suggests, that
through predation, the channeled apple snail may impact the native apple
snail eggs and hatchlings. Due to their large size, there has been
speculation that the Everglade snail kite might not be able to
efficiently feed on channeled apple snails.
Present
Research
Within the
past 5 years, channeled apple snail populations have greatly expanded
throughout the state. In
2005, university research studies were funded by the Department of
Environmental Protection and the Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission to determine the ecological impact of this species in
Florida. Channeled apple snail invasions can be easily identified in the wild by
noting the color of their eggs - pink (native apple snails lay white
eggs).
What the public should know
The ISWG stresses to the public that releasing non-native apple
snails, or any non-native animal species, into the wild is illegal,
inhumane, and ecologically unwise. In addition, these channeled
apple snails may harbor parasites that could be dangerous to humans.
They should never be handled without protective gloves and hands need to
be washed after handling, especially before eating.
Fact Sheets about the channeled apple snails and native apple snails:
Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission Fact Sheet [PDF 33 K]
The apple
snails of Florida [PDF 98 K]
Apple snails of
Florida - University of Florida IFAS Extension [PDF 447 K]
Websites about channeled apple snails and native apple snails:
University of Florida Dept. of Entomology and Nematology
Apple snails of Florida -
University of Florida IFAS Extension
Related reports about the channeled apple snail in Florida:
Lake Brantley [PDF
130 K]
Channeled apple
snails invade numerous Florida waters [PDF 382 K]
Surveillance Efforts:
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Channeled Apple Snail Rapid Surveillance Report