New Zealand Mud Snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum)
Native range: The New Zealand mud snail is native to New Zealand.
Invasive range: These snails have been found throughout the U.S., mainly in the West and within the Great Lakes. They have also previously been introduced to Australia and Europe. They have not yet been introduced into Connecticut, however, due to their close proximity to the state (having been found in New York and Pennsylvania), they could easily spread to Connecticut without proper management.
Method of introduction: These snails were likely initially introduced to the U.S. from European ships or through water brought in with fish introduced for commercial purposes. They can be spread between habitats through clinging onto equipment.
Impacts: New Zealand mud snails often consume the majority of the aquatic plant matter or other photosynthetic organisms that native species rely on. In addition to consuming resources, New Zealand mud snails are a poor source of nutrition for other species to eat. They may also clog up water pipes, similarly to the zebra mussel.
Identification: These snails are extremely small in size (see their comparison to a dime below). Their shells are whorled and come in a variety of shades of brown.
Methods of control: The most effective method of control is typically prevention. Methods of preventing their spread are similar to those of other invasive aquatic invertebrates, such as sanitizing and completely drying out gear before using it in another location and releasing ballast water before leaving a location. Several methods of control have been investigated for the New Zealand mud snail, including biological control through the introduction of parasites and the draining of smaller water sources to allow the snails to dry out and die. Various pesticides have also been explored and tested, however, these could have a negative impact on native species or the surrounding habitat as well.
Invasive range: These snails have been found throughout the U.S., mainly in the West and within the Great Lakes. They have also previously been introduced to Australia and Europe. They have not yet been introduced into Connecticut, however, due to their close proximity to the state (having been found in New York and Pennsylvania), they could easily spread to Connecticut without proper management.
Method of introduction: These snails were likely initially introduced to the U.S. from European ships or through water brought in with fish introduced for commercial purposes. They can be spread between habitats through clinging onto equipment.
Impacts: New Zealand mud snails often consume the majority of the aquatic plant matter or other photosynthetic organisms that native species rely on. In addition to consuming resources, New Zealand mud snails are a poor source of nutrition for other species to eat. They may also clog up water pipes, similarly to the zebra mussel.
Identification: These snails are extremely small in size (see their comparison to a dime below). Their shells are whorled and come in a variety of shades of brown.
Methods of control: The most effective method of control is typically prevention. Methods of preventing their spread are similar to those of other invasive aquatic invertebrates, such as sanitizing and completely drying out gear before using it in another location and releasing ballast water before leaving a location. Several methods of control have been investigated for the New Zealand mud snail, including biological control through the introduction of parasites and the draining of smaller water sources to allow the snails to dry out and die. Various pesticides have also been explored and tested, however, these could have a negative impact on native species or the surrounding habitat as well.
Resources:
- Benson, A.J., Kipp, R.M., Larson, J., and Fusaro, A.. 2018 Feb 26. Potamopyrgus antipodarum (J.E. Gray, 1853). U.S. Geological Survey: Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database. [accessed 2019 April 8]. https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?SpeciesID=1008.
- 2016 May 4. New Zealand Mud Snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum). Minnesota Sea Grant. [accessed 2019 April 8]. http://www.seagrant.umn.edu/ais/newzealand_mudsnail.
- 2019. Species profile: Potamopyrgus antipodarum. Global Invasive Species Database. [accessed 2019 April 8]. http://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/species.php?sc=449.
Images Courtesy of:
1. Benson, A.J., Kipp, R.M., Larson, J., and Fusaro, A.. 2018 Feb 26. Potamopyrgus antipodarum (J.E. Gray, 1853). U.S. Geological Survey: Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database. [accessed 2019 April 8]. https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?SpeciesID=1008.
2. U.S. Geological Survey. Accessed from: 2016 May 4. New Zealand Mud Snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum). Minnesota Sea Grant. [accessed 2019 April 8]. http://www.seagrant.umn.edu/ais/newzealand_mudsnail.
1. Benson, A.J., Kipp, R.M., Larson, J., and Fusaro, A.. 2018 Feb 26. Potamopyrgus antipodarum (J.E. Gray, 1853). U.S. Geological Survey: Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database. [accessed 2019 April 8]. https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?SpeciesID=1008.
2. U.S. Geological Survey. Accessed from: 2016 May 4. New Zealand Mud Snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum). Minnesota Sea Grant. [accessed 2019 April 8]. http://www.seagrant.umn.edu/ais/newzealand_mudsnail.