Skip to main content
Log in

Theba pisana (Müller, 1774) (Gastropoda, Helicidae) and other alien land molluscs species in Argentina

  • Invasion Note
  • Published:
Biological Invasions Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The presence and distribution in Argentina of the invasive snail species Theba pisana is presented on the basis of a survey carried out in 10 beach resorts along the Atlantic coast of Buenos Aires Province. Additionally, complementary information and complete revision of material of other exotic terrestrial gastropods housed in museum collections was carried out, reporting herein seven new species for Argentina (Otala punctata, Hawaiia minuscula, Paralaoma servilis, Opeas goodalli, Vallonia pulchella, Vertigo ovata and Pupisoma dioscoricola), one for Colombia (Subulina octona), and two for Peru (S. octona and P. dioscoricola). At present, 42 introduced species of terrestrial gastropods have been recorded in nine countries of South America (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela). The most likely pathways for introduction of terrestrial gastropods, at least in Argentina, are horticultural development and urban and suburban transformation of original natural habitats.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

GISP:

Global Invasive Species Programme

MLP:

Museo de La Plata, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina

References

  • Baker GH (1988) Dispersal of Theba pisana (Mollusca: Helicidae). J Appl Ecol 25(3):889–900

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barrientos Z, Monge-Nájera J (eds) (2003) Malacología Latinoamericana. Editorama SA, San José, Costa Rica, pp 536

  • Basinger AJ (1923) A valuable snail poison. J Econom Entomol 16:456–458

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bouchet P, Rocroi JP (2005) Classification and nomenclator of gastropod families. Malacologia 47:1–397

    Google Scholar 

  • Burch JB (1960) Some snails and slugs of quarantine significance to the United States. Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture ARS 82-1

  • Campos Salgado N, dos Santos Coelho A (2003) Moluscos terrestres do Brazil (Gastrópodes operculados ou nao, exclusive Veronicellidae, Milacidae e Limacidae). Rev Biol Trop 51(3):149–189

    Google Scholar 

  • Carmona D (2001) Plagas emergentes en siembra directa. INTA Balcarce. (http://www.inta.gov.ar/balcarce/info/documentos/agric/sd/plagasen.htm)

  • Chace EP (1915) Helix pisana Müeller in California. Nautilus 29:72

    Google Scholar 

  • Cowie RH, Robinson DG (2003) Pathways of introduction of nonindigenous land and freshwater snails and slugs. In: Ruíz GM, Carlton JT (eds) Invasive species: vectors and management strategies. Island Press, Washington, DC, pp 93–122

    Google Scholar 

  • Cuezzo MG, Drahg F (1995) Moluscos depositados en la colección de la Fundación Miguel Lillo: Argentina. Acta Zool Lilloana 43(1):185–205

    Google Scholar 

  • Deisler JS, Stange LA (2001) White garden snail, Theba pisana (Mueller) (Gastropoda: Helicidae), University of Florida. http://www.deis.ifas.ufl.edu/in354

  • Fernández D (1973) Catálogo de la malacofauna terrestre argentina. Monograph no 4, Com. Invest. Cient. Prov. Buenos Aires, p 197

  • Fernández J (1982) Contribución al conocimiento de las Babosas y Sietecueros (Mollusca: Gastropoda) que causan daños a la agricultura en Venezuela. Rev Fac Agron Maracay 12(3–4):353–386

    Google Scholar 

  • Fuentes L (2006) Moluscos de importancia agrícola. Rev Digital Centro Nac Invest Agropecuarias, Venezuela, CENIAP HOY 11:12

  • Garrison RW (1993) New agricultural pest for Southern California. White garden snail (Theba pisana). Agricultural Commissioner/Weights and Measures Department

  • Hausdorf B, Bermúdez CIM (2004) Malacofauna terrestre introducida en Colombia In: 8° Congreso internacional de Malacología Médica y Aplicada, Mexico, vol 46

  • Hylton Scott MI (1960) Sobre la presencia del género Pupisoma en la Argentina (Pulm. Pupillidae). Neotropica 6(19):25–29

    Google Scholar 

  • Kerney MP, Cameron RA (1979) A field guide to the land snails of Britain and northwest Europe. William Collins, London, p 288

    Google Scholar 

  • Letelier S, Vega MA, Ramos AM, Carreño E (2003) Base de datos del Museo Nacional de Historia Natural: moluscos de Chile. Rev Biol Trop 51(3):33–137

    Google Scholar 

  • Manetti PL, Cazzaniga, N, López AN, Clemente NL, Álvarez Castillo HA (2002) Guía práctica para identificar las babosa terrestres del sur de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (República Argentina). INTA Balcarce. (http://www.inta.gov.ar/balcarce/info/documentos/posters/33/guia.htm)

  • Miquel SE, Parent MH, Scarabino F (1995) Achatinidae introducidos en la Argentina y el Uruguay (Molluscos: Gastropoda: Stylommatophorida [sic.]). Neotropica 41(105–106):26

    Google Scholar 

  • Pilsbry HA (1939) Land Mollusca of North America (north of Mexico). Acad Nat Sci Philadelphia Mono 3:1–573

    Google Scholar 

  • Poppe GT, Poppe P (2003) Conchology, INC. http://www.conchology.be/es/cyberconchology/newcyber/HELICIDAE

  • Quintana MG (1982) Catálogo preliminar de la malacofauna del Paraguay. Rev Mus Arg Cienc Nat (Zool) XI(3):59–158

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramírez R, Paredes C, Arenas J (2003) Moluscos del Perú. Rev Biol Trop 51(3):225–284

    Google Scholar 

  • Scarabino F (2003) Lista sistemática de los Gastropoda terrestres vivientes de Uruguay. Comun Soc Malac Uruguay 8(78–79):203–214

    Google Scholar 

  • Simone LRL (2006) Land and freshwater molluscs of Brazil. EGB, Fapesp, Museu de Zoologia. Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil, p 390

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith BJ (1989) Travelling snails. J Med Appl Malacol 1:195–204

    Google Scholar 

  • Tadros AW, Nakhla JM, Rizk MA (1999) Egyptian National Agricultural Library ENAL.The Agricultural Research Center. http://www.nile.enal.sci.eg/

  • Ziller SR, Reaser JK, Neville LE, Brandt K (eds.) (2005) Espécies alienígenas em Sudamérica: informes nacionales & directorio de recursos. Programa Global de Géneros Invasivos, Cidade do Cabo, Africa do Sul, p 114

  • Zubrzycki H, Molina N (2005) Factibilidad comercial de cítricos entre Argentina y Brazil. Capítulo 4. 4.1. Programa Brasileño para la mejora de estándares comerciales y embalaje de hortofrutícolas. Publicación de la EEA Bella Vista, Corrientes, serie técnica 16, p 57

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge to C.A. Galliari to help in the field work and CONICET and FCNyM-UNLP P.I. No 470 for funding this research.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alejandra Rumi.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rumi, A., Sánchez, J. & Ferrando, N.S. Theba pisana (Müller, 1774) (Gastropoda, Helicidae) and other alien land molluscs species in Argentina. Biol Invasions 12, 2985–2990 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-010-9715-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-010-9715-x

Keywords

Navigation