NOVEL INTRODUCTION FOR THE INVASIVE RED-RIM MELANIA MELANOIDES TUBERCULATA (MULLER) IN SOUTHEASTERN TEXAS

摘要

Specimens of the invasive red-rim melania snail, Melanoides tuberculata, were observed in concrete drainage ditches throughout Jefferson County, Texas, from May 2018 to September 2019. The species appears to be well established in this artificial habitat, with a population disjunct from other established areas in central Texas and southeastern Louisiana. This occurrence in Jefferson County is likely the result of an aquarium release event independent of other release events for this species and subsequently spread by tropical storm activity.