Ferrissia fragilis (Tryon, 1863): a freshwater snail cryptic invader in Brazil revealed by morphological and molecular data

Abstract

Cladophora is a genus of branched filamentous green algae (Ulvophyceae). It contains many species that are challenging to differentiate based on morphology because of the scarcity of diagnostic characters and extensive phenotypic plasticity. Within the past five years, Cladophora blooms have been observed on the ropes of green-lipped mussel farms in the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand. When Cladophora reaches high biomass, it can clog mussel-harvesting equipment; thus, it is considered a nuisance organism in the region. This study used morphological and molecular techniques to identify the species responsible for the blooms, and to investigate whether this might be a recent incursion. Cladophora samples (n = 21) were collected from nine mussel farms, one salmon farm, and a marina. Morphological and phylogenetic analyses (partial large subunit and internally transcribed spacer regions 1 and 2 of the nuclear ribosomal cistron), revealed the identity of the bloom forming species as Cladophora ruchingeri (C.Agardh) Kützing, 1845. This represents the first report of this species in the Southern Hemisphere and Pacific region. Given the distinct morphology of C. ruchingeri (when mature), its absence from previous surveys of macro-algae from this region, and increasing reports of blooms, our findings suggest that this species has only recently been introduced to New Zealand. This study provides a robust taxonomic identification and initial baseline data. Further directed studies on Cladophora are required to advance knowledge on its ecology and distribution in New Zealand, and assist in the development of mitigation strategies.

Freshwater mollusks and environmental assessment of Guandu River, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

“…Five exotic species were found: three freshwater snails (M. tuberculata, P. acuta and F. fragilis) and two freshwater bivalves (C. fluminea and C. largillierti); except by F. fragilis, a cryptic species that were recently reported to Brazil (Lacerda et al 2015), the other species can also be considered as invasive. Among these species, the most widespread and harmful are C. fluminea and M. tuberculata.…”

Moluscos de água doce da Floresta Nacional Mário Xavier, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro

“…Pode provocar alterações nos sistemas onde é introduzida, incluindo deslocamento de espécies nativas (Freitas et al 1987;Giovanelli et al 2005;Santos et al 2012;Braga et al 2014). Ferrissia fragilis foi inicialmente identificada no Brasil em áreas dos estados do Rio de Janeiro e Minas Gerais (Lacerda et al 2015;Miyahira et al 2020). Miyahira et al (2017b) ampliaram a distribuição desta espécie no estado do Rio de Janeiro, tendo localizado a mesma na bacia do rio Guandu.…”

Radular morphology by using SEM in Pugilina cochlidium (Gastropoda: Melongenidae) populations, from Thondi coast-Palk Bay in Tamil Nadu-South East coast of India

“…The lateral cusps are also sharp pointed straight towards the anterior end. The radula is a chitinous ribbon-like series of nearly colourless transverse tooth rows resting a top the radula membrane (Wu, 1965a, b;Radwin and Wells, 1968;Arularasan et al, 2011;Kruta et al, 2013;Lacerda et al, 2015).…”