Marisa cornuarietis
Encyclopedia
Marisa cornuarietis, common name
the giant ramshorn snail, is a species
of large freshwater snail
with an operculum
, an aquatic
gastropod mollusk in the family Ampullariidae
, the apple snail family.
These snails are popular in aquariums, and are also used in the wild as a biological control agent.
and several of the southern islands of the Caribbean
.
Although Marisa snails superficially resemble the great ramshorn snail
because of the planispiral coiling of their shells, they are not at all closely related to true ramshorn snails in the family Planorbidae
.
This is an easily recognizable species: the shell is flat-coiled (planispiral) and is brick red in color. The shell color may sometimes be darker or more vivid, and is fairly often striped.
The shell diameter is usually 35-50 mm (2 in) or even larger.
even in condition of low levels of dissolved oxygen.
Easily adaptable to captivity, this snail may invade and damage aquarium vegetation. It is practically omnivorous, and feeds on animal and vegetal detritus
. This snail acts as a useful aquarium scavenger when it is not excessively numerous.
Studies revealed that this species retards the growth of water hyacinths by feeding on the roots of the plants. It has been suggested that the snail be used as weed-control agent in the canals of south Florida.
The snail has been released in some areas in an attempt to control the invasive aquatic plant genus Hydrilla
.
trade.
Marisa cornuarietis is one of about 120 species belonging to the Ampullariidae family, also known as the apple snail family (and sometimes called Pilidae). These apple snails are commonly sold in pet stores under the misleading names "giant ramshorn snail" and "Columbian ramshorn snail".
Marisa cornuarietis is usually purchased intentionally from pet stores, whereas true ramshorn snail
s (family Planorbidae
) are very often considered to be aquarium pests, acquired accidentally, clinging to leaves of aquatic plants.
These apple snails grow to be much larger than the true ramshorn snails, and they consume large amounts of plant matter. This means they are not suitable for an aquarium where plant growth is being encouraged.
snails, which are intermediate hosts to the disease Schistosomiasis
. Schistosoma larvae (cercariae), namely of Schistosoma haematobium
, enter and develop inside the Biomphlaria, to form miracidium
, which can penetrate through skin to enter the human body.
Marisa cornuarietis snails compete with the Biomphalaria snail vectors for food. They also eat the eggs of Biomphalaria, thereby effectively reducing the chances of Schistosomia being spread.
Its potential ecological impacts have been reviewed recently by Howells et al. (2006).
Common name
A common name of a taxon or organism is a name in general use within a community; it is often contrasted with the scientific name for the same organism...
the giant ramshorn snail, is a species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of large freshwater snail
Freshwater snail
A freshwater snail is one kind of freshwater mollusc, the other kind being freshwater clams and mussels, i.e. freshwater bivalves. Specifically a freshwater snail is a gastropod that lives in a watery non-marine habitat. The majority of freshwater gastropods have a shell, with very few exceptions....
with an operculum
Operculum (gastropod)
The operculum, meaning little lid, is a corneous or calcareous anatomical structure which exists in many groups of sea snails and freshwater snails, and also in a few groups of land snails...
, an aquatic
Aquatic animal
An aquatic animal is an animal, either vertebrate or invertebrate, which lives in water for most or all of its life. It may breathe air or extract its oxygen from that dissolved in water through specialised organs called gills, or directly through its skin. Natural environments and the animals that...
gastropod mollusk in the family Ampullariidae
Ampullariidae
Ampullariidae, common name the apple snails, is a family of large freshwater snails, aquatic gastropod mollusks with a gill and an operculum...
, the apple snail family.
These snails are popular in aquariums, and are also used in the wild as a biological control agent.
Indigenous distribution
It is widespread in northern South America, although the type locality is unknown. The giant ramshorn snail is native to northern South AmericaSouth America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
and several of the southern islands of the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
.
Non-indigenous distribution
Non-indigenous distribution of Marisa cornuarietis include:- Marisa cornuarietis was first discovered in the USA in Coral Gables, Florida, in 1957. It has spread to many other counties in southern Florida. It was first found in Texas in 1983 and has also been reported in California and Idaho. This species has been introduced and has established itself in FloridaFloridaFlorida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, in the southeastern United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Established populations of this snail now exist in BrowardBroward County, Florida-2000 Census:As of the census of 2000, there were 1,623,018 people, 654,445 households, and 411,645 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,346 people per square mile . There were 741,043 housing units at an average density of 615 per square mile...
, DadeMiami-Dade County, FloridaMiami-Dade County is a county located in the southeastern part of the state of Florida. As of 2010 U.S. Census, the county had a population of 2,496,435, making it the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States...
, MonroeMonroe County, FloridaMonroe County is a county located in the state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 79,589. The U.S. Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the county was 74,737....
, and Palm BeachPalm Beach County, FloridaPalm Beach County is the largest county in the state of Florida in total area, and third in population. As of 2010, the county's estimated population was 1,320,134, making it the twenty-eighth most populous in the United States...
counties. The initial introductions were probably from aquarium release, aka "aquarium dumping". - Cuba
Description
Planorbarius corneus
Planorbarius corneus, common name the great ramshorn, is a relatively large species of air-breathing freshwater snail, an aquatic pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Planorbidae, the ram's horn snails, or planorbids, which all have sinistral or left-coiling shells.The shell of this species...
because of the planispiral coiling of their shells, they are not at all closely related to true ramshorn snails in the family Planorbidae
Planorbidae
Planorbidae, common name the ramshorn snails or ram's horn snails, is a family of air-breathing freshwater snails, aquatic pulmonate gastropod mollusks....
.
This is an easily recognizable species: the shell is flat-coiled (planispiral) and is brick red in color. The shell color may sometimes be darker or more vivid, and is fairly often striped.
The shell diameter is usually 35-50 mm (2 in) or even larger.
Ecology
This species has gills as well as a lung, to ensure efficient underwater respirationRespiratory system of gastropods
The respiratory system of gastropods varies greatly in form. These variations were once used as a basis for dividing the group into subclasses. The majority of marine gastropods breathe through a single gill, supplied with oxygen by a current of water through the mantle cavity...
even in condition of low levels of dissolved oxygen.
Habitat
This snail prefers still or slow-moving fresh water, depending on the availability of aquatic vegetation as a food source.Feeding habits
This species eats aquatic plants, algae, and dead fish and snails.Easily adaptable to captivity, this snail may invade and damage aquarium vegetation. It is practically omnivorous, and feeds on animal and vegetal detritus
Detritus
Detritus is a biological term used to describe dead or waste organic material.Detritus may also refer to:* Detritus , a geological term used to describe the particles of rock produced by weathering...
. This snail acts as a useful aquarium scavenger when it is not excessively numerous.
Studies revealed that this species retards the growth of water hyacinths by feeding on the roots of the plants. It has been suggested that the snail be used as weed-control agent in the canals of south Florida.
The snail has been released in some areas in an attempt to control the invasive aquatic plant genus Hydrilla
Hydrilla
Hydrilla is an aquatic plant genus, usually treated as containing just one species, Hydrilla verticillata, though some botanists divide it into several species. Synonyms include H. asiatica, H. japonica, H. lithuanica, and H. ovalifolica...
.
Life cycle
A non-hermaphrodite, it lays eggs in characteristic disk-shape clutches, adhering to various substrates. Unlike some other apple snails, this snail lays its eggs below the waterline.In the aquarium
This is a popular species in the aquariumAquarium
An aquarium is a vivarium consisting of at least one transparent side in which water-dwelling plants or animals are kept. Fishkeepers use aquaria to keep fish, invertebrates, amphibians, marine mammals, turtles, and aquatic plants...
trade.
Marisa cornuarietis is one of about 120 species belonging to the Ampullariidae family, also known as the apple snail family (and sometimes called Pilidae). These apple snails are commonly sold in pet stores under the misleading names "giant ramshorn snail" and "Columbian ramshorn snail".
Marisa cornuarietis is usually purchased intentionally from pet stores, whereas true ramshorn snail
Ramshorn snail
The term ramshorn snail is used in two different ways. In the aquarium trade it is used to describe various kinds of freshwater snails whose shells are planispiral, meaning that the shell is a flat coil. Such shells resemble a coil of rope, or a ram's horn...
s (family Planorbidae
Planorbidae
Planorbidae, common name the ramshorn snails or ram's horn snails, is a family of air-breathing freshwater snails, aquatic pulmonate gastropod mollusks....
) are very often considered to be aquarium pests, acquired accidentally, clinging to leaves of aquatic plants.
These apple snails grow to be much larger than the true ramshorn snails, and they consume large amounts of plant matter. This means they are not suitable for an aquarium where plant growth is being encouraged.
As a biological control agent
Marisa cornuarietis is used as a biological control to reduce the number of BiomphalariaBiomphalaria
Biomphalaria is a genus of air-breathing freshwater snails, aquatic pulmonate gastropod mollusks in the family Planorbidae, the ram's horn snails and their allies.Biomphalaria is the type genus of the tribe Biomphalariini....
snails, which are intermediate hosts to the disease Schistosomiasis
Schistosomiasis
Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by several species of trematodes , a parasitic worm of the genus Schistosoma. Snails often act as an intermediary agent for the infectious diseases until a new human host is found...
. Schistosoma larvae (cercariae), namely of Schistosoma haematobium
Schistosoma haematobium
Schistosoma haematobium is an important digenetic trematode, and is found in the Middle East, India, Portugal and Africa. It is a major agent of schistosomiasis; more specifically, it is associated with urinary schistosomiasis....
, enter and develop inside the Biomphlaria, to form miracidium
Miracidium
Trematodes are small parasitic flatworms that use vertebrates as their definitive host, and molluscs as their intermediate host. In order to accomplish this, they have several varied lifecyle stages....
, which can penetrate through skin to enter the human body.
Marisa cornuarietis snails compete with the Biomphalaria snail vectors for food. They also eat the eggs of Biomphalaria, thereby effectively reducing the chances of Schistosomia being spread.
Its potential ecological impacts have been reviewed recently by Howells et al. (2006).
Further reading
- Nguma J. F., McCullough F. S. & Masha E. (March 1982) "Elimination of Biomphalaria pfeifferiBiomphalaria pfeifferiBiomphalaria pfeifferi is a species of air-breathing freshwater snail, an aquatic pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Planorbidae, the ram's horn snails.This snail is a medically important pest, because of transferring the disease schistosomiasis....
, Bulinus tropicusBulinus tropicusBulinus tropicus is a species of a tropical freshwater snail with a sinistral shell, an aquatic gastropod mollusk in the family Planorbidae, the ramshorn snails and their allies.- Distribution :Distribution of Bulinus tropicus includes:* Namibia...
and Lymnaea natalensis by the ampullarid snail, Marisa cornuarietis, in a man-made dam in northern Tanzania". Acta Tropica 39(1): 85-90. -
Oehlmann J., Schulte-Oehlmann U., Bachmann J., Oetken M., Lutz I., Kloas W. & Ternes T. A. (2005). "Bisphenol A Induces Superfeminization in the Ramshorn Snail (Gastropoda: Prosobranchia) at Environmentally Relevant Concentrations". Environmental Health PerspectivesEnvironmental Health PerspectivesEnvironmental Health Perspectives is a peer-reviewed open-access medical journal published monthly by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. According to the Journal Citation Reports, the journal has a 2009 impact factor of 6.191....
114(S-1): doi:10.1289/ehp.8065.
External links
- Pesticides Database - Chemical Toxicity Studies
- Marisa cornuarietis at the Apple Snail Website
- Marisa cornuarietis (Linnaeus, 1758) at Gulf of Mexico Program
- Aufderheide J., Warbritton R., Pounds N., File-Emperador S., Staples C., Caspers N. & Forbes V. (2006). "Effects of husbandry parameters on the life-history traits of the apple snail, Marisa cornuarietis: effects of temperature, photoperiod, and population density". Invertebrate Biology 125(1): 9-20. , doi:10.1111/j.1744-7410.2006.00035.x.
- Selck H., Aufderheide J., Pounds N., Staples C., Caspers N. & Forbes V. (2006). "Effects of food type, feeding frequency, and temperature on juvenile survival and growth of Marisa cornuarietis (Mollusca: Gastropoda)". Invertebrate Biology 125(2): 106–116. , doi:10.1111/j.1744-7410.2006.00045.x.