First Report of Giant African Snail (Lissachatina fulica) in a Protected Area of the Cottian Alps, Northwest Italy

The Giant African snail (Lissachatina fulica) is listed among the top 100 worst invasive alien species. Native to East Africa, it has been introduced voluntarily or accidentally into more than 50 countries, where it impacts negatively on biodiversity, ecosystems, agriculture, and public health. Here...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Sustainability 2023-05, Vol.15 (11), p.8633
Main Authors: Gabetti, Alice, Maganza, Alessandra, Prearo, Marino, Riina, Maria Vittoria, Nodari, Sabrina, Rizzioli, Barbara, Mangini, Valentina, Di Tizio, Luciano, Acutis, Pierluigi, Dondo, Alessandro, Esposito, Giuseppe, Pastorino, Paolo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agricultural ecosystems
Analysis
Biodiversity
Ecosystems
Fertilization
Hermaphroditism
Indigenous species
Introduced species
Invasive species
Lakes
Lissachatina fulica
Morphology
Parasites
Pets
Protected areas
Public health
Self-fertilization
Sustainability
Zoonoses
Citations: Items that this one cites
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The Giant African snail (Lissachatina fulica) is listed among the top 100 worst invasive alien species. Native to East Africa, it has been introduced voluntarily or accidentally into more than 50 countries, where it impacts negatively on biodiversity, ecosystems, agriculture, and public health. Here we describe for the first time the finding of a specimen of L. fulica in a protected area of the Cottian Alps (Avigliana Lakes Nature Park, northwest Italy). The snail underwent morphometric analysis and species identification. Given its reproductive characteristics (i.e., hermaphroditism with self-fertilization), it poses a potential threat to the biodiversity of the area and is a vector of zoonotic parasites for humans and animals. Health monitoring of specimens found in the wild and those kept as pets is of crucial importance, as is the establishment of monitoring plans in these areas.
ISSN:2071-1050
2071-1050
DOI:10.3390/su15118633