Specific features of phenetic structure of the terrestrial snail <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cepaea vindobonensis</Emphasis> (Pulmonata; Helicidae) in urbanized and natural populations

The phenetic structure of natural and urbanized populations of the terrestrial snail Cepaea vindobonensis has been studied with respect to polymorphism in the shell-band color and pattern. It is noted that C. vindobonensis snails populating different artificial habitats in the city of Nikolaev and its suburbs are characterized by a higher level of both intra-and interpopulation diversity with respect to the type of this polymorphism. In addition, urban populations show a very wide range of variation in the frequencies of particular morphs or their groups. Conversely, natural populations are characterized by a more uniform frequency structure with respect to polymorphism of the shell banding pattern.     

江苏阳澄湖螺类群落的空间分布格局

2008年1月～2009年10月对江苏阳澄湖螺类群落结构进行了季节调查研究。共采集到螺类4科5属6种，优势种为铜锈环棱螺，次优种为长角涵螺。阳澄湖螺类平均密度为220±47 ind./m2，平均生物量为2331±469 g/m2，螺类密度和生物量在年际和季节间均无明显差异，但群落结构存在显著的空间变化，密度在东湖区和中华绒螯蟹围网养殖区较大、西湖区最小，生物量围网养殖区最高、西湖区最低；铜锈环棱螺密度围网养殖区最高、西湖区最低，长角涵螺密度东湖区最高、围网养殖区次之、入湖河流及其它湖区极低。中华绒螯蟹养殖未导致围网养殖区螺类数量下降，螺类（主要是铜锈环棱螺）的投放可能是该区螺类密度、生物量及铜锈环棱螺所占比例较高的主要原因之一。逐步回归分析表明，水深是影响螺类群落整体密度和生物量空间分布差异的主要因子；典型对应分析（CCA）表明，铜锈环棱螺主要分布在叶绿素a较高的水域，而长角涵螺和纹沼螺则主要分布在透明度较大的地方     

Biochemical studies on the terrestrial snail,Eubania vermiculata (müller)treated with some pesticides

Abstract

The in vivo effects of methomyl, thiodicarb and metaldehyde on total soluble proteins, total lipids and glycogen content, in addition, the activity of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, (GOT), (GPT) glutamic pyruvic transaminase and catalase (CAT) enzymes of terrestrial E. vermiculata snails was studied. The experimental snails were treated with low concentration of 0.2% bran bait w/w of the pesticides for a period of 1,3,5,7 and 10 days. The results showed that methomyl and thiodicarb lead to significant reduction in total soluble proteins, lipids, and glycogen content, while significant increases in the activity of all enzymes tested were noted. Metaldehyde treatment showed no significant effect on total soluble proteins, lipids and GOT level, whereas a significant increase in GPT and CAT enzymes was observed. Also, metaldehyde resulted a significant reduction in glycogen content of snails.     

Sea water quality monitoring in Rhodes and Cos (Greece)

During the years 1983–1986, a program aiming at monitoring water quality of the most crowded beaches, as well as assessing and minimizing pollution from certain land based sources was carried out in Rhodes and Cos. The program was directed towards inspections of treatment plants as well as laboratory analyses of treated effluents from large hotels. As a result, almost one in four hotels was obliged to construct a new treatment plant. In order to help personnel to improve plant efficiency through day‐to‐day maintenance a three day seminar was held in June 1985. Sea water quality parameters (total coliforms and E. coli) were found to be well below the limits set by E.E.C. directives.     

Dispersal of Land Snails of the Genus Xeropicta Monterosato, 1892 (Gastropoda; Pulmonata; Hygromiidae)

Data on the parameters of migration of two land snails of the genus Xeropicta are presented. In relatively homogeneous habitats, the locomotor activity of these mollusks is relatively high: they can travel for up to 300 cm per day, with neither the phenotype nor size of the shell having any significant influence on the level of dispersal. The snails prefer to travel westward and southward, but the distances covered by individuals moving in different directions are similar. No connection between the directions or distances of movement on two successive days has been observed.     

Invasive Non‐Native Species’ Provision of Refugia for Endangered Native Species

Abstract: The influence of non‐native species on native ecosystems is not predicted easily when interspecific interactions are complex. Species removal can result in unexpected and undesired changes to other ecosystem components. I examined whether invasive non‐native species may both harm and provide refugia for endangered native species. The invasive non‐native plant Casuarina stricta has damaged the native flora and caused decline of the snail fauna on the Ogasawara Islands, Japan. On Anijima in 2006 and 2009, I examined endemic land snails in the genus Ogasawarana. I compared the density of live specimens and frequency of predation scars (from black rats[Rattus rattus]) on empty shells in native vegetation and Casuarina forests. The density of land snails was greater in native vegetation than in Casuarina forests in 2006. Nevertheless, radical declines in the density of land snails occurred in native vegetation since 2006 in association with increasing predation by black rats. In contrast, abundance of Ogasawarana did not decline in the Casuarina forest, where shells with predation scars from rats were rare. As a result, the density of snails was greater in the Casuarina forest than in native vegetation. Removal of Casuarina was associated with an increased proportion of shells with predation scars from rats and a decrease in the density of Ogasawarana. The thick and dense litter of Casuarina appears to provide refugia for native land snails by protecting them from predation by rats; thus, eradication of rats should precede eradication of Casuarina. Adaptive strategies, particularly those that consider the removal order of non‐native species, are crucial to minimizing the unintended effects of eradication on native species. In addition, my results suggested that in some cases a given non‐native species can be used to mitigate the impacts of other non‐native species on native species.     

Toxicity potential of Grassate® a non-selective herbicide on snails (Achachatina marginata) and earthworms (Aporrectodea longa)

The application of herbicides in agricultural practices may pose certain toxic effects on non-target species including molluscs (snails), earthworms and other soil-dwelling organisms, which would in turn put the lives of humans at great risk. This study considered the lethal and sublethal effects of Grassate®, a non-selective glyphosate-based herbicide on snails (Archachatina marginata) and earthworms (Aporrectodea longa) with regards to ecotoxicological risk assessment. The lethal concentration LC₅₀ for the test chemical averaged at 1.731?±?0.05 and 3.045?±?0.08?mg?kg^?1 for snails and earthworms, respectively. There was decrease in growth and biomass with increased concentration for the species. Growth inhibition of 11–38% in size and 7–43% in length was obtained for earthworms while 26–65% reduction in weight was reported for snails. Using the ecotoxicological risk assessment matrix, the herbicide was classified as D 4 (A; P; E) or 16 (A; P; E), which could be considered as high risk to animals, plant and the environment. Thus, if these herbicides are used uncontrollably and unregulated, further consequence could lead to harmful effects on humans who feed on snails, a rich source of protein and depend on earthworms for nutrient.     

1980年来湖北省钉螺分布区域及其数量的消长分析

目前对钉螺分布及消长的研究主要是短期的、文字描述性的、数字和曲线图表示的,通过这些方式可以呈现出某个地域范围的钉螺消长的总体趋势。但是,若要呈现出以行政村为单位的各个地区钉螺分布及消长的长期变化,仅仅用文字和曲线图是不够的,而是需要用更复杂的方式,才能呈现各个行政村的钉螺消长时空分布情况。地理信息系统(GIS)可以通过地图清晰显示出这些复杂的动态变化。利用湖北省钉螺的螺情村级统计年报数据,以湖北省村级行政区划图为基本空间制图单元,利用ArcGIS软件的逻辑运算和统计功能,分析了各个村级行政区从1980~2009年每间隔5 a的钉螺分布的区域及面积大小,以及钉螺数量的消长情况,并用GIS软件详细制图,获得各个村级行政区的钉螺数量的消长变化情况。根据钉螺消长情况,将所有行政村分为八类,可以识别出钉螺反复出现和难以消灭的地区,并且在地图中清晰地呈现出来。针对各个钉螺消长类型,结合自然地理、人为治理途径等情况进行相关分析,总结出湖北省各地区钉螺消长类型分异的原因,这将有利于制定县市甚至细化到村级单位的钉螺防控计划,也有利于辨识过去30 a来钉螺分布及其数量消长的区域以及灭螺的效果,对今后血吸虫的防治工作有重要指导意义。