The New Zealand mudsnail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum): ecological impacts and distribution of this exotic species in the Iberian Peninsula

Abstract

Alonso. Á., Castro-Diéz, P. 2015. The New Zealand mudsnail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum): ecological impacts and distribution of this exotic species in the Iberian Peninsula. Ecosistemas 24(1): 52-58. Doi.: 10.7818/ECOS.2015.24-1.09

Biological invasions are one of the main causes of biodiversity lost. Given the complexity of the invasion processes, some species have shown invasive behaviour in some ecosystems but not in others. A species with an ambiguous invasive behaviour is the New Zealand mudsnail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum). This species has been recently included as an invasive exotic species in Spanish law, which makes necessary the management and the knowledge of its distribution in Spain. In this study we have reviewed the distribution and ecological impacts of this species in the Iberian Peninsula. In Spain this species has been cited in 30 out of the 46 provinces, whereas in Portugal it has been cited in 6 out of 18. Most of the affected provinces are in the coast, especially in the provinces with the oldest quotes. Among the most important impacts caused by this species are its ability to change the structure of the invaded invertebrate communities. However, such impacts have not been reported in some case studies. The present review shows a lack of studies on the dispersal mechanisms of mudsnail throughout the Iberian Peninsula. This is an essential point to prevent the spread of this species throughout the aquatic ecosystems of the Iberian Peninsula.