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Thread: Warning

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
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    Default Warning

    DNR Media Contacts:
    Columbia - Brett Witt (803) 734-3815
    Clemson - Greg Lucas (864) 654-1671, ext.22
    Charleston - Anna Martin (843) 953-3367
    Spokesman - Mike Willis (803) 734-4133
    After Hours Radio Room - (803) 955-4000
    DNR News
    SC Dept. of Natural Resources
    P 0 Box 167
    Columbia, SC 29202


    June 12, 2008
    Invasive Island Applesnail found in Horry County
    The S.C. Department of Natural Resources Aquatic Nuisance Species team and its partner organizations are currently dealing with the highly invasive island applesnail, Pomacea insularum, which was recently discovered in a retention pond just southeast of Socastee in Horry County near the Grand Strand.

    Report suspected occurrences of the snail or its egg sacks to S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Aquatic Nuisance Species Program at invasiveweeds@dnr.sc.gov or (803) 755-2836.

    Scott Lamprecht, a DNR regional coordinator for the fisheries section was first contacted on May 5, 2008 concerning some large snails in the pond near Socastee. David Knott of the DNR Marine Division was first to affirmatively identify the snail as highly invasive, and he reported that on May 6 there were "lots of P. insularum egg clutches and three snails (two were copulating) in one of several ponds."

    The Aquatic Nuisance Species Program of DNR’s Land, Water, and Conservation Division was notified and a rapid response protocol was initiated. This protocol began on May 8 with an extensive survey of the site, along with repeated removal of any egg sacks and live specimens that were found. The Clemson Department of Plant Industry and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) were subsequently notified, and specimens that were shipped to USDA labs for morphological and genetic analyses have confirmed the identification.

    Additional surveys in the area have confirmed another infestation in 2 ponds on Heron Point Golf Club approximately 1 mile from the original sighting. Surveys of the immediate surrounding areas of the 2 infestations have proven negative. Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) staff, Walter Meitzen and Chris Page, initiated control measures which include application of molluscicides and have shown promising results in the control of this species. Continued monitoring, physical removal, and chemical control methods will continue to be employed to ensure control of this species where possible.

    These snails are a tropical/subtropical species, not normally known to withstand water temperatures much below 50F. However, they can withstand short periods of cold by burrowing into the muddy bottom of a waterbody. They are the most commonly introduced species in the southeastern US, but they were originally thought to be Pomacea canaliculata, commonly called the channeled applesnail.

    Their egg masses, about 1.5 to 2 inches in length with up to 1000 eggs not much greater than 1/16th of an inch in diameter, are easily distinguished from those of P. canaliculata. They are pink to almost red in color, and are found attached to various hard substrates above the water line, including pilings, concrete water control structures, tree trunks and many types of emergent vegetation. Three very closely related species in what is referred to as the "channeled applesnail complex" are considered to be among the world’s 100 worst invaders, according to the Global Invasive Species Database.

    Pomacea insularum is now found, or introductions have occurred, in Texas, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. However, it is the channeled applesnail, P. canaliculata, which causes most concern to agriculturists. This species is known to cause serious problems as a rice pest in many countries. Fortunately, the channeled applesnail is known to occur in the US only in Arizona, California, Hawaii and possibly Alabama. Indications are that this latest occurrence in Socastee is a release of aquarium pets, and not the natural spread of the more notorious channeled applesnail.

    Potential impacts of introduced populations of the island applesnail (IAS) are broad reaching and can even have human health implications. Because they eat such a wide range of aquatic plants, IAS are a potential threat to South Carolina aquatic ecosystems. Infestations can be very dense and cover large areas, causing harm to the aquatic environment by destroying native plant species and drastically affecting the food web through their ability to kill or out-compete native snail species. Human health threats are also associated with this species. It has been shown to be a vector for disease and parasites such as the rat lungworm, which can cause fatal eosinophilic meningoencephalitis disease in humans. Snails can also cause skin irritations, since they are also intermediate hosts to other associated trematodes (flukes). Please do not handle specimens without gloves.

    DNR protects and manages South Carolina's natural resources by making wise and balanced decisions for the benefit of the state's natural resources and its people.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
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    Charleston
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    There are big snails in the pond and canal behind my house down here, but they don't look quite like that. These are a little smaller with a more green apperance. Either way, the snail kites keep the hammer down on their collective asses. Each morning when I let the dog out, there are numerous fresh empty shells laying about.

    But, with regards to envasive species down here, that cow has already left the barn. There are armored catfish, peacock bass, tilapia, oscars, iguanas, and cuban lizards within a hundred feet of my house at all times.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
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    To say Florida has an invasive species problem is an understatement.

    In 1st grade we weren't allowed to go on the playground for a week due to a small group of cappucci monkeys terrorizing the trash cans.
    Be proactive about improving public waterfowl habitat in South Carolina. It's not going to happen by itself, and our help is needed. We have the potential to winter thousands of waterfowl on public grounds if we fight for it.

  4. #4
    Mergie Master's Avatar
    Mergie Master is offline Dedicated Tamiecide Practitioner
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    I hate monkeys!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  5. #5
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    Jan 2006
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    The Armpit of SC...Columbia
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    Bog, where the hell did you go to elementary school?....Oprah's Outback Brick Bungalo?

  6. #6
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    Dec 2005
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    something like that.
    Our class pet was an escape cockateal that had been hanging out with the blackbirds in the parking lot.
    Teacher lured into the window with raisins.

    The canals behind our house had oscar, rio grande cichlids......all sorts of exotic fish people just dumped into the canals when they didn't want them any more.
    Be proactive about improving public waterfowl habitat in South Carolina. It's not going to happen by itself, and our help is needed. We have the potential to winter thousands of waterfowl on public grounds if we fight for it.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Columbia
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    Rat lungworm. There's something I hope I never get.

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