Distribution and bio-ecological characteristics of the invasive species Potamopyrgus antipodarum (Gray, 1843) (Mollusca, Gastropoda)

Abstract

Invazivna vrsta puža, Potamopyrgus antipodarum (Gray, 1843), autohtona je vrsta na Novom Zelandu. Hrani se perifitonom, dijatomejama i biljnim i životinjskim detritusom. Rasprostranila se po cijelom svijetu gdje negativno utječe na bioraznolikost i uzrok je velikih gospodarskih šteta. U populacijama koje mogu dosegnuti brojnost jedinki od 800 000/m² prevladavaju ženke koje se razmnožavaju partenogenezom. Vrsta je u kompeticiji za hranu i prostor s autohtonim vrstama koje na taj način direktno ugrožava. Prilagodbe kao što su tolerancija na veliki raspon temperatura, velike dubine i visoke vrijednosti saliniteta daju joj prednost u odnosu na autohtone vrste. Ukoliko dođe do uspostavljanja stabilnih populacija, vrstu je nemoguće eliminirati. Zbog toga su preventivne metode poput kemijskog tretmana, isušivanja, zagrijavanja, zamrzavanja i pranja opreme, koja se prethodno koristila na mjestima gdje je prisutna vrsta P. antipodarum, izuzetno važne. Osim toga, bitna je i edukacija o načinima širenja ove vrste kao i o metodama kontrole.Invasive species of snail, Potamopyrgus antipodarum (Gray, 1843), is native species of New Zealand. It feeds on periphyton, diatoms, and plant and animal detritus. It is spread all over the world where negatively affects biodiversity and causes great economic damages. Females which are parthenogenetic are dominating in populations which may reach a number of 800 000snails/m². Species is in competition for food and area with native species which are directly endangered. Adaptations such as tolerance on wide range of temperatures, great depth and high salinity gives it advantage over native species. If it comes to establishing stable populations, species is impossible to eliminate. Therefore the preventive measures such as chemical treatment, drying (water-drainage), heating, freezing and washing equipment, which was previously used on areas where P. antipodarum habits, are very important. In addition, education about ways of spreading these species and control methods is very important