Physa

Abstract: We explored how functional diversity among predators of the freshwater snail Physa creates an adaptive trade-off for the snail’s shell morphology. Physid shells range continuously between elongate and rotund in overall shape. The protection conferred by alternative shell shapes depends on the mode of attack employed by predators. Predators attack Physa primarily through shell entry (by crayfish, Orconectes obscurus) and shell crushing (by fish, Lepomis gibbosus, Cyprinus carpio, Carrasius auratus). The narrow apertures associated with elongate shells were expected to restrict apertural access by crayfish, as it does in several marine gastropod–decapod interactions. The orbicular body whorls of rotund shells were predicted to disperse better the crushing forces applied by fish. Resistance to one predator then implies susceptibility to the other because shells can be relatively rotund or elongate but not both. Three levels of evidence from this study supported the idea of a trade-off: (1) measurement with laboratory instruments indicated that rotund shells were relatively crush-resistant, whereas elongate shells were more entry-resistant; (2) foraging trials showed that rotund shells required more handling time and were rejected more frequently by fish, whereas snails with elongate shells were more likely to survive with crayfish; and (3) field samples revealed rotund shell morphology in habitats where fish were common. The physical tests, foraging trials and field survey of the present study demonstrate the functional basis for predator-induced plasticity, which has been documented elsewhere for physid shell morphology and serves as a fourth line of support for the existence of an adaptive trade-off. Implications of the trade-off for the behaviour of predators and prey are also discussed.

Abstract: With ecosystems increasingly supporting multiple invasive species, interactions among invaders could magnify or ameliorate the undesired consequences for native communities and ecosystems. We evaluated the individual and combined effects of rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) and Chinese mystery snails [Bellamya (=Cipangopaludina) chinensis] on native snail communities (Physa, Helisoma and Lymnaea sp.) and ecosystem attributes (algal chlorophyll a and nutrient concentrations). Both invaders are widespread in the USA and commonly co-occur within northern temperate lakes, underscoring the importance of understanding their singular and joint effects. An outdoor mesocosm experiment revealed that while the two invaders had only weakly negative effects upon one another, both negatively affected the abundance and biomass of native snails, and their combined presence drove one native species to extinction and reduced a second by >95%. Owing to its larger size and thicker shell, adult Bellamya were protected from crayfish attack relative to native species (especially Physa and Lymnaea), suggesting the co-occurrence of these invaders in nature could have elevated consequences for native communities. The per capita impacts of Orconectes (a snail predator) on native snails were substantially greater than those of Bellamya (a snail competitor). Crayfish predation also had a cascading effect by reducing native snail biomass, leading to increased periphyton growth. Bellamya, in contrast, reduced periphyton biomass, likely causing a reduction in growth by native lymnaeid snails. Bellamya also increased water column N:P ratio, possibly because of a low P excretion rate relative to native snail species. Together, these findings highlight the importance of understanding interactions among invasive species, which can have significant community- and ecosystem-level effects.

Abstract: . It has long been speculated that Physa acuta, a pulmonate snail widespread and invasive in fresh waters of the old world, may have originated in North America. But the identification of a new-world cognate has been complicated by the confused systematics and taxonomy of the Physidae in America. More than 40 species of physids are currently recognized in the United States, many with variable and overlapping morphology. We have previously established that premating reproductive isolation is negligible among physid snails. Here we report the results from no-choice crosses each involving 2 populations of the widespread American species Physa heterostropha and Physa integra, both with each other and with P. acuta, designed to compare measures of reproductive success between species and between populations within species. Samples of P. acuta were collected from France and Ireland, P. heterostropha from eastern Pennsylvania and South Carolina, and P. integra from southern Indiana and northern Michigan. The 6 intrapopulation controls varied quite significantly in their survival, age at first reproduction, parental fecundity, F1 viability, and F1 fertility under our culture conditions. Measures of survival and reproduction in the 6 interpopulation crosses were generally intermediate, but in no case significantly worse than the more poorly performing control. Thus we were unable to detect evidence of reproductive isolation among our 6 populations of snails from 2 continents. All should be referred to the oldest available nomen, P. acuta.

Abstract: SUMMARY 1. How species reach and persist in isolated habitats remains an open question in many cases, especially for rapidly spreading invasive species. This is particularly true for temporary freshwater ponds, which can be remote and may dry out annually, but may still harbour high biodiversity. Persistence in such habitats depends on recurrent colonisation or species survival capacity, and ponds therefore provide an ideal system to investigate dispersal and connectivity. 2. Here, we test the hypothesis that the wide distributions and invasive potential of aquatic snails is due to their ability to exploit several dispersal vectors in different landscapes. We explored the population structure of Physa acuta (recent synonyms: Haitia acuta, Physella acuta, Pulmonata: Gastropoda), an invasive aquatic snail originating from North America, but established in