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.