Como Lake Drive Near Southside Boulevard, Southeastern Duval County

      Field surveys conducted during 2005-2006 consistently demonstrated that the Baymeadows area of southeastern Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida was rich in locations harboring breeding populations of  Pomacea paludosa (Say, 1829) [Florida Applesnail]. A additional field survey of that area on February 10, 2007 resulted in the find of the the species in a small lake In the Princeton Square Boulevard Apartments - the 25th unique location that Pomacea paludosa have been found in Duval County. Satellite imagery of the Baymeadows area was then reviewed for additional potential locations nearby, and the next day (February 11th), a visit was made to a small lake in the Royal Lakes area just off Southside Boulevard near Interstate 95.

    Upon arrival at the location in question on Como Lake Drive at the southeastern end of the lake, a limited number of Pomacea paludosa egg clutches from the 2006 breeding season were quickly found on a concrete culvert immediately adjacent to the road. However, further investigation of nearby areas failed to reveal any actual Pomacea paludosa shells. Based upon the lack of shells as well as the limited number of egg clutches seen, it appears likely that the resident Apple Snail population of the lake is quite small. No source of water inflow to the lake was seen which may indicate that the lake is spring fed, since some outflow was noted.

Looking north from the southern end of the lake

Some of the Pomacea egg clutches on the concrete culvert at the southeast end of the lake