Hatton Chase Subdivision Lake Snail Introduction

Hatton Chase Subdivision Lake Snail Introduction

When a large non-native potentially destructive species such as Pomacea canaliculata is suddenly found in an impoundment there is always speculation as to how the species got there. Some trusting souls may theorize that maybe it was somehow introduced by wading birds. A more realistic approach is that the species was intentionally introduced by man - maybe through a combination of lack of knowledge and aquarium dumping or intentionally by a knowledgeable person to control vegetation, provide a source of fish bait, etc. Since the snail infestation is usually not readily apparent for a relatively long period of time, the source of the snails at many locations will forever remain a mystery.

During a 5/18/2006 survey visit to the Hatton Chase Lake, clear evidence was found of a recent aquarium dump into the lake. In one approximate 3 x 3 foot area immediately adjacent to the shoreline a large number of living and dead Viviparus sp. were found - an obvious case of dumping. This find gives credence to the possibility that the Pomacea to were introduced into the lake in a similar manner. In the case of the Viviparus, preliminary investigation suggests that the snails are an aquarium cultured version of the native Viviparus georgianus (I. Lea, 1834) Banded Mysterysnail - a species found throughout northeast Florida but not previously found in the Hatton Chase Lake. Furthermore, however, the distinct possibility exists that other non-native species were in the aquarium and subsequently dispersed.