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New Zealand mud snail? #876264

Asked July 08, 2024, 7:02 AM EDT

Found in Boardman River below forks campground. Have fished this river heavily since 2017 and never had so many of these snails on my wading boots. Is it the New Zealand mud snail? If so, what are the negative environmental impacts? My guess is out competes natives but curious if vector for disease etc. Thank you

Grand Traverse County Michigan

Expert Response

Hi Max, 


Indeed, this invasive species is present in the Boardman River. These snails are transported by shoes, waders, anchors, fishing gear, and boats. Just one female (capable of cloning) can create a large colony of snails when moved to a new location. So it's important to clean, drain, and dry your gear between trips to new bodies of water. A bleach solution can also be used. 

It is difficult for me to tell with this one photo without something for size reference. The snail is usually 4-6 mm in length in areas that have been invaded, and can grow larger. They typically they are small enough that you could fit dozens on a penny. This one has fewer whorls, which leads me to think it's a juvenile, and would have to be on the smaller end of that scale. 

Here is the State of Michigan's reporting protocols, including an email address for Lucas, who would be the best person in our state to ID/report this to and a link to the State's plan for this species. https://www.michigan.gov/invasives/-/media/Project/Websites/invasives/Documents/Response/Status/egle-ais-potamopyrgus-antipodarum.pdf?rev=46154459ce7e437daeed3c5f154e3b22&hash=2EF6654EB6355BAE3A29251E562A5ADA

If possible, please take one or more photos of the invasive species you are reporting. Also make note of the location, date and time of the observation. This will aid in verification of your report. You may be asked to provide your name and contact information if follow-up is needed.

Ashley Cole-Wick Replied July 10, 2024, 10:22 AM EDT
Hi Extension team,

Thank you for the response.

This snail was actually quite large (in terms of snails). I attached a video to perhaps help with scale. I would say size wise it was closer to my thumbnail and actually seemed to move fast.

No worries if still cannot tell.

Thank you,  

Max


Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 10, 2024, at 10:22 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied July 11, 2024, 3:37 PM EDT
I'm posting this 7/10/14 response from Ashley which I'm not sure you have seen:


Hi Max,


Indeed, this invasive species is present in the Boardman River. These snails are transported by shoes, waders, anchors, fishing gear, and boats. Just one female (capable of cloning) can create a large colony of snails when moved to a new location. So it's important to clean, drain, and dry your gear between trips to new bodies of water. A bleach solution can also be used.

It is difficult for me to tell with this one photo without something for size reference. The snail is usually 4-6 mm in length in areas that have been invaded, and can grow larger. They typically they are small enough that you could fit dozens on a penny. This one has fewer whorls, which leads me to think it's a juvenile, and would have to be on the smaller end of that scale.

Here is the State of Michigan's reporting protocols, including an email address for Lucas, who would be the best person in our state to ID/report this to and a link to the State's plan for this species. https://www.michigan.gov/invasives/-/media/Project/Websites/invasives/Documents/Response/Status/egle-ais-potamopyrgus-antipodarum.pdf?rev=46154459ce7e437daeed3c5f154e3b22&hash=2EF6654EB6355BAE3A29251E562A5ADA

If possible, please take one or more photos of the invasive species you are reporting. Also make note of the location, date and time of the observation. This will aid in verification of your report. You may be asked to provide your name and contact information if follow-up is needed.



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