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Genomic research led by HKBU unravels mystery of invasive apple snails 

12 Aug 2019

The four apple snail species featured in the study: (clockwise from top left) Pomacea canaliculata, Pomacea maculata, Lanistes nyassanus and Marisa cornuarietis.
The four apple snail species featured in the study: (clockwise from top left) Pomacea canaliculata, Pomacea maculata, Lanistes nyassanus and Marisa cornuarietis.
A figure showing the native range of the four apple snail species included in the study, and pictures of their adult and egg forms. The reddish-pink calcareous eggs of the two Pomacea species are deposited on land, whereas the white gelatinous eggs of Lanistes nyassanus and Marisa cornuarietis are deposited underwater.
A figure showing the native range of the four apple snail species included in the study, and pictures of their adult and egg forms. The reddish-pink calcareous eggs of the two Pomacea species are deposited on land, whereas the white gelatinous eggs of Lanistes nyassanus and Marisa cornuarietis are deposited underwater.

Biologists from HKBU have led a study to sequence and analyse the genomes of four apple snail species in the family Ampullariidae. The researchers discovered that the apple snails have evolved to become highly sensitive to environmental stimuli, digest cellulose (a major component of the plant cell wall), form hard calcareous eggshells and pack neurotoxins in eggs. The findings could facilitate the development of effective genetic control measures for these destructive crop-eating snails. 

 

The four apple snail species are the African Lanistes nyassanus, and the South American Pomacea canaliculata, Pomacea maculata, and Marisa cornuarietis. Among them, the two Pomacea species are the most invasive. Freshwater Pomacea are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical freshwaters. These natives of South America have spread to many other parts of the world. In China, Japan, Thailand and the Philippines, they are considered the number one rice pest. 

 

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