The identity, distribution, and impacts of non-native apple snails in the continental United States.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Since the mid 1990s populations of non-native apple snails (Ampullariidae) have been discovered with increasing frequency in the continental United States. Given the dramatic effects that introduced apple snails have had on both natural habitats and agricultural areas in Southeast Asia, their introduction to the mainland U.S. is cause for concern. We combine phylogenetic analyses of mtDNA sequences with examination of introduced populations and museum collections to clarify the identities, introduced distributions, geographical origins, and introduction histories of apple snails.

Results

Based on sampling to date, we conclude there are five species of non-native apple snails in the continental U.S. Most significantly, we recognize three species within what has bee

SUBMITTER: Rawlings TA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1919357 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature