Global records of the invasive freshwater apple snail Pomacea canaliculata (Lamarck, 1822)

Abstract

Pomacea canaliculata (Caenogastropoda: Ampullariidae) is a freshwater snail native to the lower Del Plata basin in South America. However, along with other species collectively known as "apple snails," it has been introduced to many regions outside its natural range. In these areas, it has spread rapidly, causing extensive damage to aquatic crops and adversely affecting the biodiversity and ecological functioning of natural wetlands. This publication aims to present an updated, accurate, and open-access database of P. canaliculata occurrence records worldwide. The database is intended to support ecological studies and pest management initiatives, with a particular emphasis on distinguishing P. canaliculata from other apple snail species to prevent misidentifications. It compiles all reliable records of P. canaliculata from both its native and invaded ranges, offering comprehensive coverage of its global distribution. The result is a dataset of 718 records from 29 countries across Africa, South America, North America, Asia, and the Pacific Islands, reported from the early 20th century to the present. This occurrence dataset is now included in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), hosted by the “Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación Productiva” under the publisher “Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas y Biomédicas del Sur (INBIOSUR)”.