Relative abundance of pond snails in Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, and the spread of an invasive snail

Authors

Michele D. Larson, Eastern Washington University, Department of Biology, Cheney, WA; Present address: University of Wyoming, Zoology and Physiology, Program in Ecology, Laramie, WYUniversity of Wyoming, Laramie, WYFollow
Christina M. Torrieri, Eastern Washington University, Department of Biology, Cheney, WAFollow
A. Ross Black, Eastern Washington University, Department of Biology, Cheney, WAFollow

Abstract

Freshwater gastropods comprise a diverse and highly imperiled taxonomic group that is threatened by anthropogenic factors including the introduction of nonnative species. We surveyed 10 wetland ponds in Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge to assess the possible expansion of the nonnative European ear snail (Radix auricularia) and to determine the genus richness and relative abundance of native gastropods. D-frame dip nets were used to sample gastropods at 4 locations in each pond. Six genera of gastropods were found, including R. auricularia in 6 ponds where it was not previously known. Radix auricularia is now the dominant genus in Middle Pine and Lower Pine Lakes, with relative abundances of 84.13% and 92.31%, respectively. Due to the high abundance and spread of R. auricularia in Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge, resource managers need to investigate the snail’s impacts and implement strategies to reduce possible negative effects of this nonnative snail on native gastropods and other wildlife.


Los gasterópodos de agua dulce son taxones muy diversos que se encuentran amenazados por factores antropogénicos, estos incluyen la introducción de especies no nativas. Para determinar la posible expansión, así como la riqueza de género y la abundancia relativa de gasterópodos nativos, evaluamos la posible propagación del caracol europeo no nativo (Radix auricularia) en diez estanques, en el Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Turnbull. Para muestrear gasterópodos en cuatro zonas de cada estanque, se usaron redes de inmersión con marco en forma D. Se encontraron seis géneros de gasterópodos, incluyendo R. auricularia, que fue encontrado en seis lagunas en las que anteriormente no se conocía que habitara. Radix auricularia es ahora el género dominante en los lagos Middle Pine y Lower Pine, con una abundancia relativa de 84.13% y de 92.31%, respectivamente. Debido a la alta abundancia y propagación de R. auricularia en el Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Turnbull, los administradores de recursos necesitan investigar su impacto e implementar estrategias, para reducir el posible efecto negativo sobre los gasterópodos nativos y demás animales salvajes.

Recommended Citation

Larson, Michele D.; Torrieri, Christina M.; and Black, A. Ross (2018) "Relative abundance of pond snails in Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, and the spread of an invasive snail," Western North American Naturalist: Vol. 78: No. 2, Article 15.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/wnan/vol78/iss2/15