AquaNISInformation system on aquatic non-indigenous and cryptogenic species |
Species | Viviparus viviparus | |
Date of the first record (?) | 1995 - 2000 References: Minchin, D. (2016). THE CRYPTOGENIC RIVER SNAIL VIVIPARUS VIVIPARUS EXPANDS ITS RANGE IN IRELAND: CASE OF A RE-INTRODUCTION?. JOURNAL OF CONCHOLOGY, 42, 85-89. Comments: The river snail Viviparus viviparus was known in Ireland from deposits in the Shannon and Barrow river catchments almost a century ago. It was only recently, since 1995, that living populations were found in the upper Shannon. Since these records further snails were found at separate localities along the length of the Shannon and Erne catchments and from near Lough Neagh. It would appear that this snail might be a reintroduction to Ireland |
Recipient region (?) | Country: Ireland LME: 24. Celtic-Biscay Shelf LME sub-region: Celtic seas References: Minchin, D. (2016). THE CRYPTOGENIC RIVER SNAIL VIVIPARUS VIVIPARUS EXPANDS ITS RANGE IN IRELAND: CASE OF A RE-INTRODUCTION?. JOURNAL OF CONCHOLOGY, 42, 85-89. Comments: The numbers, and repeated findings in some lakes and rivers and some other records from canals over several years indicate that the species is well established in Ireland and at some localities it was the dominant species. The smaller numbers encountered on the lower Shannon might indicate more recent appearances. |
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Source region (?) | Not entered |
Pathway / Vector (?) | Unknown References: Minchin, D. (2016). THE CRYPTOGENIC RIVER SNAIL VIVIPARUS VIVIPARUS EXPANDS ITS RANGE IN IRELAND: CASE OF A RE-INTRODUCTION?. JOURNAL OF CONCHOLOGY, 42, 85-89. Comments: Potential modes of spread and arrival of V. viviparus to and within Ireland: 1.Arrival and spread with angling activities. Introduced either as angling bait or unintentionally moved with fishing gear. 2.Arrival and spread with leisure craft. Snails might be transported with imported craft, from the midlands of Britain. Snails might lodge in a hull bow-thruster and carried there during transport. 3. Arrival following release from aquaria/ aquatic garden plants. Specimens may have been imported from Britain and/or continental Europe for aquaria or ponds. 4.Arrival and spread by natural means.Snails have been transmitted between water bodies overland as well as along waterways. It is unknown whether birds, or mammals, could transport snails |
Habitat type (?) | Lake River References: Minchin, D. (2016). THE CRYPTOGENIC RIVER SNAIL VIVIPARUS VIVIPARUS EXPANDS ITS RANGE IN IRELAND: CASE OF A RE-INTRODUCTION?. JOURNAL OF CONCHOLOGY, 42, 85-89. Comments: Waterlogged tree remains, large cobbles and stones, to which the snails were attached, were retrieved from depths of ~50cms. Snails were also found attached to stones in lake shallows and on quay walls and pillars. Several large specimens were observed on the vertical surface of a quay wall in June 2007. Some of these were attached a few centimeters above the water surface to the south of the Drumleague Lock, on the canal between Battlebridge and Acres Lake. |
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Wave exposure (?) | Not entered | |
Salinity range (?) | Venice system: 1. Limnetic [<0.5psu] |
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Temperature range (?) | Not entered |
Zonation / Substratum (?) | Not entered | |
Reproductive duration (?) | Not entered | |
Reproductive seasonality (?) | Not entered | |
Migration pattern (?) | Not entered |
Population status (?) | Unknown (Low level of certainty) References: Minchin, D. (2016). THE CRYPTOGENIC RIVER SNAIL VIVIPARUS VIVIPARUS EXPANDS ITS RANGE IN IRELAND: CASE OF A RE-INTRODUCTION?. JOURNAL OF CONCHOLOGY, 42, 85-89. Comments: It is predicted that further isolated populations are likely to become revealed in the coming years. |
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Species status (?) | Cryptogenic References: Minchin, D. (2016). THE CRYPTOGENIC RIVER SNAIL VIVIPARUS VIVIPARUS EXPANDS ITS RANGE IN IRELAND: CASE OF A RE-INTRODUCTION?. JOURNAL OF CONCHOLOGY, 42, 85-89. Comments: However, there is no direct evidence of an arrival. On account of the widely separated localities overland transport has clearly already taken place involving either, or all, of the potential modes of spread. This includes a natural spread to Ireland that might have arisen from bird transport. For this reason V. viviparous should be considered to be a cryptogen until further evidence becomes available. |
Created by | Dan Minchin, 2022-04-06 |