(Potamopyrgus antipodarum)
What is it?
The New Zealand mudsnail is a tiny aquatic snail that inhabits lakes, rivers, streams, reservoirs and estuaries. In addition to mud, the snail can also be found lurking on rock or gravel surfaces, aquatic vegetation, or woody debris. New Zealand mudsnail are highly adaptable to diverse climates and can tolerate a broad range of aquatic conditions such as temperature, salinity, turbidity, water velocity, and stream productivity. In the United States, New Zealand mudsnail populations are comprised almost entirely of self-cloning parthenogenetic females (no need for fertilization here). The brood size of an individual female ranges from 20-120 embryos, each of which may mature to produce an average of 230 offspring per year – these gals could show Dolly the sheep a thing or two!
FACT: A single female mudsnail can result in a colony of 40 million snails in one year.
You better get your glasses out because this miniscule menace is only about 4 – 6 mm (1/8 inch) in length as an adult. The snails shell is light to dark brown, with five to six whorls or spirals. The opening of the shell has a retractable cover called an operculum which allows the snail to seal itself inside when it feels threatened or is exposed to pollutants. Some fish and birds feed on New Zealand mudsnail, but the rigid operculum and thick shell wall enable many snail to pass through the digestive system of predators unharmed.
Where is it from and where is it now?
As its common name implies, the mudsnail is native to New Zealand and its neighboring islands.
The New Zealand mudsnail has been introduced to Australia, Europe, Asia, and North America. In the United States, the New Zealand mudsnail was first discovered in the Snake River (Idaho) in 1987. Since this time it has become established in ten western states, five Great Lakes states and two Canadian Provinces (British Columbia and Ontario).
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| Benson, A.J. 2011. New Zealand mudsnail sightings distribution. Retrieved 2/26/2013 from newzealandmudsnaildistribution.aspx. |
How did it get here?
The New Zealand mudsnail was first introduced to the US through contaminated ship ballast water and/or the transport of live fish or eggs for the commercial aquaculture industry. Once introduced to a region, snails may be spread locally on the fur or feathers of terrestrial wildlife and pets (that means you fluffy), or consumed and dispersed in the excrement of local fish species. Long distance dispersal of New Zealand mudsnail has been attributed to ballast water discharge, the movement of commercial aquaculture products (i.e., fish, eggs, and ornamental plants), and the transport of contaminated recreational gear. This sneaky snail has an uncanny knack for hitchhiking on wading gear, nets, boats, and trailers of fishermen, boaters, and other water users, allowing it to be unknowingly spread to new areas.
FACT: Mudsnails can crawl at a rate of up to 10 feet/hour – these gals can really get around!
What are its impacts?
FACT: In Australia, New Zealand mudsnails have emerged from domestic water taps - gross!
Once this horrible hitchhiker invades an area, there is very little that can be done to control or eradicate them. Researchers are investigating the potential use of a host specific trematode to control the snail, but it is unknown how this parasite might impact native snail populations.
Because the spread of New Zealand mudsnail is strongly associated with human activities, public education and outreach is still the best method to prevent their introduction and spread to new areas. Informational signs are posted at boat ramps where New Zealand mudsnails have been found to alert boaters of their presence and what special precautions should be taken to minimize the risk of spread. Many states (including Oregon) have mandatory boat inspection stations at state lines, boat ramps, and rest areas, where boats and other watercrafts are thoroughly inspected for the presence of mudsnails or other aquatic nuisance species. If any are found, the boat is decontaminated on site at no cost to the owner.
FACT: The New Zealand mudsnail has no natural predators or parasites in the United States. In its native habitat, 11 different species of parasitic trematode keep mudsnail populations to a manageable size.
How can YOU prevent the spread of mudsnails?
The small size of New Zealand mudsnails make them very easy to overlook and accidentally transport to new locations. To minimize the potential spread of this tiny terror, follow these simple steps.
· CHECK all recreational gear and clothing that has come in contact with water for any visible signs of sand, mud, or plant fragments which may indicate a tiny hitchhiker.
· CLEAN all gear before leaving a site by scrubbing with a brush and rinsing with water.
· DRAIN: all of the water from your boat (including the bilge, live well, motor), trailer, tackle and gear before leaving the area.
· DISINFECT your gear (especially waders and boots) before traveling to a different water body. Freeze your gear for a minimum of 6 hours (< 26°F), soak gear in a hot water bath for 5 minutes (≥ 120°F) (not recommended for Gortex), or soak gear in undiluted Formula 409 for at least 10 minutes. (http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsbdev3_015418.pdf).
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· NEVER transport live fish or any other aquatic plant or animal from one water body to another – it is illegal!
If you find New Zealand mudsnails or any other “tenacious trespasser” contact the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force at 1-877-STOP-ANS. If you spot a potential aquatic invader in Oregon, contact the Oregon Invasive Species Hotline at 1-866-UNVADER. In Washington State you can report a potential sighting at 1-877-9-INFEST.
Submitted by Donna Allard
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