Thread by @urbanbestiary

Today, on #TheMisplacedMenagerie -

We report the exotic (for #India) apple #snail, #Pomacea diffusa, also known as the spike topped apple snail, from the #Mumbai region, as part of our ongoing studies on #urbanwildlife, and the #ecology of introduced species, in #India, Mumbai.

The study was officially published in the 'ELA Journal of Forestry and Wildlife' - a peer reviewed #science journal, which is also the official journal of the #Maharashtra State #Forest Department.

Link to paper: researchgate.net/publication/35…

#sciencetwitter #TwitterNatureCommunity

Spiked Topped Apple Snails in #Mumbai (and other parts of #India) are the direct result of the #aquarium trade - either as accidental, or deliberate releases from home aquaria.

#InvasiveSpecies #sciencetwitter #ecology #naturalhistory #urbanwildlife

Compared to other snails in the genus #Pomacea (which are native to #SouthAmerica), they are not dangerously #invasive, and are generally considered harmless.

#InvasiveSpecies #sciencetwitter

But there are other species of Pomacea #applesnails, which make their way into the pet trade. One such species, Pomacea caniculata, popularly known as the channeled #applesnail, is a dangerous invasive, known to voraciously feed on aquatic vegetation.

#sciencetwitter

If established, channeled apple snails can wreak havoc on #riceland ecosystems in #India, where #agriculture is the primary source of livelihood for about 58% of the population.

#InvasiveSpecies #sciencetwitter

Furthermore, channeled apple snails are also known to prey on #amphibian eggs, and can cause great damage to native aquatic #ecosystems.

#ecological #wildlife #naturalhistory #InvasiveSpecies #sciencetwitter

Fortunately for #India, it's #riceland #ecosystems, and #wetlands, the channeled apple snail is not the species we encountered, and reported.

#InvasiveSpecies #TwitterNatureCommunity #sciencetwitter

This incident does however, serves to highlight a very important concern - the regulation of the #aquarium trade.

#science #sciencetwitter #TwitterNatureCommunity

We firmly believe that the #aquarium trade in #India needs to be closely monitored, and regulated, to prevent future natural disasters such as the introduction, and establishment of potentially #InvasiveSpecies, which could wreak havoc on India's myriad #ecosystems.

#science

This, however, does not necessarily imply that the #aquarium hobby is bad for the #environment , or the #economy, in #India, or elsewhere.

#sciencetwitter #TwitterNatureCommunity #science #wildlife #naturalworld

The export, and import of ornamental #fish, and aquatic
#invertebrates for the #aquarium trade is neither illegal, nor unethical (when done right), and is an important source of income for India's developing economy, besides generating livelihood for several local communities.

Indeed, there exist several examples of #fish, which are critically endangered in #nature, yet thrive in captivity, thanks to the #aquarium industry. These fish are often bred in large numbers in fish farms in Asia, and all specimens offered for sale, are 100% captive bred.

Properly set-up, and well maintained #aquariums also offer an excellent introduction to the hidden world, and secret lives of aquatic organisms, often serving as windows to the wider disciplines of #biology, #zoology, #ecology and #environmental studies.

#scicomm #sciencetwitter

Conscientiousness, then, is the order of the day. The #aquarium can be a great tool in the study of the natural world, even #conservation, as long as both legal, and ethical concerns are taken into account, while pursuing this delightful hobby.

#science #scicomm #sciencetwitter

If you keep #fish, and other aquatic organisms, make sure they're either captive bred, or ethically sourced. Whenever possible, emulate natural conditions, and do not ever release exotic #fish and #invertebrates in local waters.

#scicomm #TwitterNatureCommunity #sciencetwitter

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go feed my #fish. My ethically sourced, captive bred fish, which I do not ever intend to release in local water bodies.

#scicomm #sciencetwitter #TwitterNatureCommunity #pets #aquarium #malacology #snails #molluscs #freshwaterbiology #ecology

@Supernova_Style @7SageLabs @gontanokoneroku @KirstyGodsman @Lucent508 @ShashiGanesh @Shakiguani @WindleBeth @spreadtheloveRN @drspidernz @SolomonRDavid @helena_wiklund @WaveneyCott @utterflea @_laurentess_

#InvasiveSpecies #science #scicomm #sciencetwitter #TwitterNatureCommunity #TheMisplacedMenagerie #TheUrbanBestiary #urbanwildlife #UrbanNatureProject

P.S: Paper uploaded to the journal website. Please use this link, instead of the (pre-print) version shared above.

elafoundation.org/ela/wp-content…

@Astro_Limno @RajashreeKhalap @UrbanAstroNYC @spiderdayNight @Ibycter @CalConLtd

Our ongoing #urbanwildlife research is generously sponsored by @CalConLtd.

Thank you, for supporting quality #naturalhistory #research in #India.

#science #ScienceMatters #becurious #BeKind

And finally, hearty congratulations, and grateful thanks to my co-#researchers - @RajashreeKhalap, @drkrishi, Chris Cathrine, & Bhushan Jadhav.

Also, a very special thank you to @rajashreekhalap for taking these gorgeous photographs for my paper.