Colonization risks of the invading freshwater gastropod Melanoides tuberculatus (Thiaridae) in Río de la Plata (Argentina-Uruguay)

Abstract

Melanoides tuberculatus is a cosmopolitan gastropod that has invaded and has now spread into most countries of the American continent. Introduction pathways remain unknown in most cases. This work draws attention on the colonization risks of this species in the Río de la Plata area as a consequence of its record in flower and pet shops – in the city of La Plata (Buenos Aires, Argentina) - in which limnic species are sold. The species was identified at the beginning of 2009 within a lot of 29 specimens from a shop, and this is the southernmost record of this species in the Plata Basin. Subsequent surveys in 3 commercial shops in the same city revealed its presence in 2 of them. This was related to the purchase of ornamental plants by the shops. Identification of this species in the city of La Plata should be carefully assessed, because of the potential consequences that settlement of this mollusk in the Río de la Plata may have on displacement of the local fauna and on public health.