Preliminary Studies on the Threshold Levels of Salinity and Alkalinity at Which Mortality Occurs in the Invasive Alien Species - Pomacea canaliculata (Lamarck, 1822)

Pomacea canaliculata (Lamarck, 1822), commonly known as the golden apple snail, is considered as a highly invasive freshwater species due to its adaptability, high reproductive rate, and tolerance to a wide range of environmental conditions. Introduced originally for aquaculture and ornamental purposes, the species has spread to various aquatic habitats rapidly and creates an imbalance in the ecosystem it occupies by depleting resources for its survival. The rapid expansion of Pomacea canaliculata poses a biodiversity conservation issue, particularly in wetland and agricultural ecosystems, where it harms native species by outcompeting them and damaging crops, especially rice, by feeding on young seedlings. The present study investigates the behavioural responses of Pomacea canaliculata under controlled experimental conditions, to salinity and pH variations. The current study tests the level of salinity and alkalinity at which mortality occurs in golden apple snail species. The study setup included three aquariums: a control setup with four species, a salinity setup with four species, and a pH setup with four species. Salinity and pH were increased in gradual increments to a level at which they act as environmental stressors. Behavioural changes of the specimen were noted in an ethogram. The findings of the current study indicate that Pomacea canaliculata exhibits a certain level of adaptability but also has definitive survival thresholds to salinity and pH variations. The results of this study have key implications in field management of the species.