ST. LAWRENCE EASTERN LAKE ONTARIO PARTNERSHIP FOR REGIONAL INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT
New Zealand mudsnail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) can be found in many types of aquatic habitats. They feed on dead and dying plant and animal material, algae, and bacteria. This snail was first discovered in Idaho in 1987. Being that a single snail can produce approximately 230 young per year, they have spread rapidly since. Interestingly, all introduced populations in North America are clonal, meaning they are all genetically identical females. New Zealand mud snail can currently be found in New York State in Lake Ontario and was likely introduced there by the ballast water of ships.
Impacts
Populations of introduced New Zealand mud snail outcompete other native snail species, reducing biodiversity. Populations can persist at very high densities that alter nutrient flows and has the potential to befoul complex power and water facilities.
Identification
Very small, aquatic snail, elongate shell consists of 5 to 6 right-handed whorls. The shell is light to dark brown. The average length is usually 4-6 mm in introduced locations but may reach 12 mm in its native range.
For more information visit:
http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?SpeciesID=1008
http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=449
Photo credit: Mike Gangloff, Bugwood.org)
PREVENTION
Prevent the introduction of invasive species into the SLELO PRISM.
EARLY DETECTION & RAPID RESPONSE
Rapidly detect new and recent invaders and eliminate all individuals within a specific area.
COOPERATION
Share resources, including funding personnel, equipment, information, and expertise.
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
Collect, utilize, and share information regarding surveys, infestations, control methods, monitoring, and research.
CONTROL
Control invasive species infestations by using best management practices, methods and techniques to include: ERADICATION (which is to eliminate all individuals and the seed bank from an area), CONTAINMENT (which is reducing the spread of established infestations from entering an uninfested area) and SUPPRESSION which is to reduce the density but not necessarily the total infested area.
RESTORATION
Develop and implement effective restoration methods for areas that have been degraded by invasive species and where suppression or control has taken place.
EDUCATION & OUTREACH
Increase public awareness and understanding of invasive species.
INNOVATION
Develop and implement innovative technologies that help us to better understand, visualize, alleviate or manage invasive species and their impacts or that serve to strengthen ecosystem function and/or processes.
Rob Williams
PRISM Coordinator
Megan Pistolese
Outreach and Education
Brittney Rogers
Aquatic Invasive Species
Robert Smith
Terrestrial Invasive Species