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Wetland Restoration and Invasive Species: Apple snail ( Pomacea insularum ) Feeding on Native and Invasive Aquatic Plants
Author(s) -
Burlakova Lyubov E.,
Karatayev Alexander Y.,
Padilla Dianna K.,
Cartwright Leah D.,
Hollas David N.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
restoration ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 100
eISSN - 1526-100X
pISSN - 1061-2971
DOI - 10.1111/j.1526-100x.2008.00429.x
Subject(s) - biology , invasive species , alternanthera philoxeroides , introduced species , scirpus , native plant , macrophyte , aquatic plant , ceratophyllum demersum , wetland , ecology , phragmites , weed
The apple snail Pomacea insularum is an aquatic invasive gastropod native to South America that has the potential to cause harm to aquatic ecosystems, wetland restoration, and agriculture. To predict the potential impact of this snail on aquatic ecosystems, we tested the feeding rate of P. insularum , under laboratory nonchoice experiments, for 3 species of invasive macrophytes and 13 species of native aquatic plants that are important for wetland restoration and health. High levels of consumption were recorded for four native species ( Ceratophyllum demersum , Hymenocallis liriosme , Ruppia maritima , and Sagittaria lancifolia ) and three invasive species ( Colocasia esculenta , Alternanthera philoxeroides , and Eichhornia crassipes ). In contrast, less than 10% of the biomass of Spartina alterniflora , Scirpus californicus , Thalia dealbata , and Typha latifolia was consumed by P. insularum over the test period. The palatability of macrophytes was negatively correlated with dry matter content, making our results generalizable to all regions where this invader may be present. Based on our results, wetland restoration in areas invaded by P. insularum should focus on emergent structural species with low palatability. Apple snails should not be considered as agents of biocontrol for invasive plants; although apple snails fed on invasive plants at a high rate, their consumption of many native species was even greater.