● It is considered native to North America but is now found in all continents except Antarctica.
● First reported in India in the early 1990s.
● It is believed to have reached Kerala through the aquarium trade, a major vector for invasive species.
● In Kerala, the snail had made its home in a highly polluted reach plagued by high sedimentation, untreated sewage, commercial effluents, construction wastes and a thick growth of invasive aquatic weeds.
Threats posed
● This snail plays host to worms that can cause food-borne diseases and skin itches in humans.
● Its rapid growth rate, air-breathing capability, and tolerance to pollution make it a potential competitor to native fauna.
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