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Pomacea Canaliculata in Ecuador: a Recent Pest with Multiple Implications

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Pomacea Canaliculata in Ecuador: a Recent Pest with Multiple Implications Pomacea canaliculata in Ecuador: a recent pest with multiple implications Modesto Correoso Rodriguez1, Esteban Espinosa2, Marcela Coello Rodriguez 3 1 Department of Earth Sciences, Geographical and Environmental Engineering. University of the Army-ESPE. Avenida El Progreso, s / n. Sangolquí, Ecuador. Email: [email protected], [email protected] 2 Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture,American Embassy, Calle Avigiras E12-170 y Avenida Eloy Alfaro, Quito, Ecuador. Email: [email protected] 5 Faculty of Biological Sciences, Central University of Ecuador, Quito. Email: [email protected] Abstract This article characterises and analyses the presence of the alien invasive species Pomacea canaliculata in Ecuador, a pest present in many countries that has severe impacts on agriculture, human health and the natural environment. For the first time, a list of the native species of the genus Pomacea in Ecuador is provided, as well as an occurrence map, based on review of existing (but few) bibliographic data, museum collections and recent field work. There is a lack of information on other mollusc species in Ecuador, but there is the potential for ecological impact of P. canaliculata on the native mollusc fauna, especially other Pomacea species, which may already be in decline. Other biological threats and consequences are considered, highlighting the impacts that the invasion has had in this Andean country. Also, events that have occurred since the detection of the pest are reviewed, in particular, the decisions adopted by the rice agricultural sector in comparison with those reported by other countries facing a similar situation. The epidemiological role of P. canaliculata in Ecuador is analysed following confirmation thatP. canaliculata can carry the nematode Angiostrongylus cantonensis, which causes eosinophilic meningitis. Cases of human infection and the possible routes of transmission are discussed, confirming that Ecuador was the first SouthAmerican country to have cases of the disease. These results are compared with those for the giant African snail (Lissachatina fulica), a mollusc that can also transmit the disease. 257 It isprobable that native Pomacea species can also be infected with the nematode. Finally, a wide range of measures and management actions that should be considered, and possibly adopted, by Ecuador are proposed with the goal of controlling this dangerous pest. Additional keywords: Ampullariidae, Angiostrongylus, apple snail, giant African snail, invasive species, South America Introduction In 2005, Pomacea canaliculata, a member of the family Ampullariidae, commonly known as apple snails, was discovered in Ecuador, where it causes serious damage to rice (Horgan et al., 2014a). It is an invasive alien species in Ecuador. Pomacea canaliculata has generalist feeding habits, often lacks natural enemies in places that it invades, can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, is very resistant to water pollution and has high reproductive potential (Lach et al., 2001; Cowie, 2002). It also has diverse impacts, not only agricultural but also ecological and socio-medical, and therefore is considered among 100 of the world’s worst alien invasive species (Lowe et al., 2000). Its harmful effects include destruction of native aquatic vegetation resulting in serious habitat modification, competition with native mollusc species and acting as a host of several parasites, including the rat lungworm, Angiostrongylus cantonensis (Cowie 2002; Carlsson et al., 2004, 2009; Hollingsworth & Cowie, 2006; Levin, 2006; Lv et al., 2011; Vazquez-Silva et al., 2011). Pomacea canaliculata is a South American species. Its native range has been thought to extend throughout much of South America east of the Andes (Hylton Scott, 1958) but it is now known to be restricted to the Lower Paraná, Uruguay and La Plata basins, and perhaps lower parts of the upper Paraná and southern parts of Brasil (Hayes et al., 2008, 2009a, 2012). It was introduced from Argentina, probably more than once (Hayes et al., 2008), to many Asian countries, where it became a serious agricultural pest, especially of rice (Naylor, 1996; Cowie, 2002; Wada, 2004; Joshi & Sebastian, 2006). Later, it was introduced and became established in other areas of the Pacific (Hawaii, Guam, Papua New Guinea) (Cowie, 2002), the USA (Rawlings et al., 2007), the Dominican Republic (Rosario & Moquete,2006), Chile (Letelier & Soto-Acuña, 2008; Jackson & Jackson, 2009) and Spain (López et al., 2010; MMAMA, 2015). The first introductions to Asia were based on the potential of the snails as a commercial product for human 258 BIOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT OF INVASIVE APPLE SNAILS consumption, through cultivation (aquaculture). However, major commercial production was not successful and the snails escaped or were released from the facilities and colonised various aquatic ecosystems, becoming a major pest, especially in wetland rice. The snails were also imported for use in aquaria (Cowie, 2002). Climate models applied to the potential expansion of the species, inferred high colonisation ability of many non- infested areas of the world (Baker, 1998), facilitated by the increased activity of the snails at higher temperatures (Heiler et al., 2008). The confused taxonomy and difficulty of identifying species ofPomacea (Ramirez et al., 2003; Cowie et al., 2006; EFSA, 2012) has caused much uncertainty regarding the identities of the pest species. The main consequence of this is that even though it is possible to identify some species quickly on the basis of a combination of morphological characters of the shell and eggs, for others it is only possible by investigating detailed internal anatomy and by applying molecular techniques. This was especially the case in distinguishing Pomacea maculata (formerly often referred to as its junior synonym Pomacea insularum) from P. canaliculata (Rawlings et al., 2007; Hayes et al., 2008, 2009a, 2012; Matsukura et al., 2008; EFSA, 2012). The use of common names for P. canaliculata, in both English and other languages has​​ also caused confusion (Cowie et al., 2006). In 2009 the presence of an unknown snail was confirmed in rice fields in Guayas province of Ecuador. Subsequently, this species was confirmed asPomacea canaliculata by Dr. David Robinson of the USDA-APHIS, in communication to the Training and Design Workshop of the Andean Regional Program for the Control of Mollusc Pests event conducted by Agrocalidad in Guayaquil in 2011. One of the most important actions when a pest, such as this one, is detected is informing and training citizens to help them contribute to reducing the impact. Therefore, in 2010, we presented various proposals for action to Agrocalidad based on educating people about snails as rice pests in the Ecuadorian coastal region. We developed specialised reports on the pest (unpublished) for the Ministry of Environment and made information presentations. Also, the first author participated in preparation of the preliminary list of introduced and invasive species in continental Ecuador, including P. canaliculata (MAE, 2011). The expanding distribution of the pest, the damage caused and the interest generated among the relevant authorities in Ecuador, led in 2011 toAgrocalidad organising the first workshop on the pest, in Guayaquil, attended by experts, including Dr. Robinson (above), national guests and others from the Andean region. POMACEA CANALICULATA IN ECUADOR: A RECENT PEST WITH MULTIPLE IMPLICATIONS 259 The information in this contribution is derived from a bibliographic review (scientific and non-scientific), reviews of collections, surveys and field investigations and activities. The aim is to contribute to the knowledge of the genus Pomacea in terms of diversity and distribution of the species in Ecuador, and in this way to document, evaluate and participate in lessening its environmental, agricultural and human health impacts. The genus Pomacea in Ecuador and the appearance of P. canaliculata In Ecuador, native apple snails (Ampullariidae) are important in terms of their diversity and representation in the freshwater mollusc fauna (Correoso, 2002, 2008; Lasso et al., 2016). Unfortunately, molluscan faunal studies have been limited and the lack of information does not help in the protection and conservation of this natural heritage. This lack of knowledge may lead indirectly to significant impacts ofP. canaliculata on the native fauna, as indiscriminate and hasty pest management actions are implemented. The diversity and abundance of Pomacea species is particularly high in the Andean and Amazonian regions, including in Peru (Ramírez et al., 2003), Colombia (Ardila, 2008), Venezuela and Brasil (Simone, 2006), although the genus extends through Central America and the Caribbean to the southeastern USA. Ecuador, in the Neotropical Andean region and with distinct mountain, coastal and Amazonian areas, has fewer species than Brasil, Venezuela and Colombia (Table 1), although with a high number of endemics (Table 2). There is a pronounced drop in diversity in the coastal region. There have been few surveys of snails in Ecuador and there are few records of Pomacea in Ecuador in the literature. A number of species are mentioned as occurring in Ecuador by modern authors (Cowie & Thiengo, 2003; Ramirez et al., 2003; Simone, 2006), referencing the classical authors, who are noted in Table 2. There are no large national reference collections of Ampullariidae or other non-marine molluscs
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