First Report of Giant African Snail ( Lissachatina fulica ) in a Protected Area of the Cottian Alps, Northwest Italy

Alice Gabetti, Alessandra Maganza, Marino Prearo, Maria Vittoria Riina, Sabrina Nodari, Barbara Rizzioli, Valentina Mangini, Luciano Di Tizio, Pierluigi Acutis, Alessandro Dondo, Giuseppe Esposito () and Paolo Pastorino
Additional contact information
Alice Gabetti: The Veterinary Medical Research Institute for Piemonte, Liguria and Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy
Alessandra Maganza: The Veterinary Medical Research Institute for Piemonte, Liguria and Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy
Marino Prearo: The Veterinary Medical Research Institute for Piemonte, Liguria and Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy
Maria Vittoria Riina: The Veterinary Medical Research Institute for Piemonte, Liguria and Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy
Sabrina Nodari: The Veterinary Medical Research Institute for Piemonte, Liguria and Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy
Barbara Rizzioli: Regione Piemonte, Settore Sviluppo Sostenibile, Biodiversità ed Aree Naturali, 10123 Torino, Italy
Valentina Mangini: Ente di Gestione delle Aree Protette delle Alpi Cozie, 10050 Torino, Italy
Luciano Di Tizio: WWF Italia, 00198 Rome, Italy
Pierluigi Acutis: The Veterinary Medical Research Institute for Piemonte, Liguria and Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy
Alessandro Dondo: The Veterinary Medical Research Institute for Piemonte, Liguria and Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy
Giuseppe Esposito: The Veterinary Medical Research Institute for Piemonte, Liguria and Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy
Paolo Pastorino: The Veterinary Medical Research Institute for Piemonte, Liguria and Valle d’Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 11, 1-9

Abstract: The Giant African snail ( Lissachatina fulica ) is listed among the top 100 worst invasive alien species. Native to East Africa, it has been introduced voluntarily or accidentally into more than 50 countries, where it impacts negatively on biodiversity, ecosystems, agriculture, and public health. Here we describe for the first time the finding of a specimen of L. fulica in a protected area of the Cottian Alps (Avigliana Lakes Nature Park, northwest Italy). The snail underwent morphometric analysis and species identification. Given its reproductive characteristics (i.e., hermaphroditism with self-fertilization), it poses a potential threat to the biodiversity of the area and is a vector of zoonotic parasites for humans and animals. Health monitoring of specimens found in the wild and those kept as pets is of crucial importance, as is the establishment of monitoring plans in these areas.

Keywords: snail; gastropod; Achatinidae; alien invasive species; wet ecosystem; invasion ecology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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