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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stuttgart, Arkansas » Harry K. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Cntr » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #145409
Title: THERMAL LIMITS OF RED-RIMMED MELANIA MELANOIDES TUBERCUATA, (GASTROPODA: PROSOBRANCHIA: THIARIDAE): IMPLICATIONS FOR CONTROL AND DISTRIBUTION OF A SNAIL THAT VECTORS A GILL TREMATODE CAUSING SERIOUS INFECTIONS IN FISH

Author
item Mitchell, Andrew
item BRANDT, THOMAS - NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY

Submitted to: Annual Eastern Fish Health Workshop
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/22/2003
Publication Date: 4/22/2003
Citation: MITCHELL, A.J., BRANDT, T.M. THERMAL LIMITS OF RED-RIMMED MELANIA MELANOIDES TUBERCUATA, (GASTROPODA: PROSOBRANCHIA: THIARIDAE): IMPLICATIONS FOR CONTROL AND DISTRIBUTION OF A SNAIL THAT VECTORS A GILL TREMATODE CAUSING SERIOUS INFECTIONS IN FISH. ANNUAL EASTERN FISH HEALTH WORKSHOP. 2003. p.52.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The red-rimmed melania Melanoides tuberculata, an exotic aquatic snail of the family Thiaridae, is spreading across the southern United States and through geothermal waters in several midwestern and northwestern states. There is little specific information on the temperature tolerance of M. tuberculata. Information on its tolerance to cool temperatures, would allow an accurate prediction of its ability to spread from its current known locations. Information on its tolerance to warmer temperatures would provide knowledge important for its spread from one geothermal spring to another and for the hot water disinfection of nets and equipment harboring these snails (thus prevent the spread of snails from contaminated waters to uncontaminated waters via the equipment). Melanoides tuberculata [10 snails (10 to 25 mm) per jar (3 or more replicates & controls per test] were placed into incubation chambers and water baths that were set at 9 temperatures (5 to 45°C) for 23 different exposure periods 2 min to 14 d). Not all exposure times were used at every temperature. Four snails sizes from 1 to 40 mm were subjected to 50°C for exposure periods from ¼ to 3 min. Melanoides tuberculata are killed by exposure to #9°C for 48 h, 11°C for 8 d, and 13°C for 12 d. The snails should not survive in waters reaching a temperature of #15°C for more than one month or in waters that drop below 10°C for more than 2 days. All snails died within 16 min at 45°C and by 8 h at 40°C. At 50°C, all sizes of snails succumbed within 2.5 min, with the smallest (1 to 4 mm) lasting less than ½ min. A 5-min exposure to water with a temperature of $50°C should be sufficient to kill all M. tuberculata on dip nets and other fisheries equipment.