Informing spread predictions of two alien snails using movement traits

Type Article
Date 2022-03
Language English
Author(s) Makherana Fhatuwani1, Cuthbert Ross N.2, 3, Monaco CristianORCID4, Dondofema Farai1, Wasserman Ryan J.3, 5, Chauke Glencia M.1, Munyai Linton F.1, Dalu Tatenda3, 6, 7
Affiliation(s) 1 : Aquatic Systems Research Group, Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
2 : GEOMAR Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel, 24105 Kiel, Germany
3 : South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Makhanda 6140, South Africa
4 : IFREMER, IRD, Institute Louis-Malardé, University of the Polynésie française, EIO, 98725 Taravao, Tahiti, French Polynesia
5 : Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6140, South Africa
6 : Aquatic Systems Research Group, School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Nelspruit 1200, South Africa
7 : Wissenshaftskolleg zu Berlin Institute for Advanced Study, Berlin 14193, Germany
Source Science Of The Total Environment (0048-9697) (Elsevier BV), 2022-03 , Vol. 811 , P. 152364 (6p.)
DOI 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152364
Note https://w3.ifremer.fr/archimer-admin/addproject.jsp
Keyword(s) Dispersal potential, Freshwater ecosystem, Invasive non-native species, Physa acuta, Tarebia granifera
Abstract

Invasive alien species are a growing global problem, and aquatic ecosystems have been regarded as particularly vulnerable. Biological invasions can alter ecosystem functioning, threaten native biodiversity and burden the global economy. Understanding alien species ability to disperse via locomotion following arrival to new environments is critical for prediction of spread rates. Here, we quantified in-field densities and compared movement traits between two widespread invasive alien snails, Tarebia granifera and Physa acuta. We measured the: (i) net distance and velocity to determine dispersal potential; and (ii) turning angles (both absolute and relative) and straightness index as proxies for exploratory behaviour. Tarebia granifera exhibited a significantly greater velocity and covered a significantly larger net distance (i.e., greater spread rate) than Physa acuta. In-field densities were marked for both species (T. granifera: mean 351 individuals m−2; P. acuta: mean 235 individuals m−2), but differed spatially. The exploratory behavior (i.e., mean or absolute turning angles and straightness index) did not differ significantly between the two alien species; both species showed a slight tendency to turn counterclockwise. The present study suggests a more rapid capacity to self-disperse in T. granifera than P. acuta, which could facilitate rapid spread within and between aquatic systems. Thus, this current study highlights the often-overlooked role of animal behaviour in promoting invasion; this autecological information can help inform predictive models for the spread of alien snails within freshwater ecosystems.

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