Invasive snail species found in P.E.I. believed to be new to the Maritime provinces

A survey recently conducted on Prince Edward Island turned up a type of freshwater snail that experts say has never before been identified in the Maritimes.

Nature P.E.I. said in a news release that it's waiting for results of genetic testing, but that the species appears to be an invasive snail known as the big-eared radix.

The snail, which is native to Europe and Asia, was found in Andrew's Pond in the East Royalty area of Charlottetown.

It was reported by Jess Dewey, an aquatic species technician with the P.E.I. Invasive Species Council.

She said snails like the big-eared radix typically move to new areas through pet shops, so it's possible it was released into the wild by someone improperly disposing of the contents of their aquarium.

"I'm judging it on where we found it.... A large possibility is that it actually did get here through the dumping of tank contents," Dewey said.

"Since it is in a pretty urban setting it is possible that somebody could no longer care for their aquatic pets."

Nature P.E.I. said in the news release that it's also possible more southerly snails like the big-eared radix can survive further north as freshwater ponds become warmer.

There are about 25 known freshwater snail species on P.E.I., according to the release.

Dewey said freshwater snails have not been well-researched on the Island, but they represent an important source of food for native fish species.

"There is a really large, critical gap in our knowledge of the composition of species, the abundance and the distribution of freshwater snails in Prince Edward Island," she said, adding that if funding for the research continues, more ponds will be surveyed in the new year.

"We didn't get to too many ponds, so there's a lot that could still be discovered, which is exciting."

Don't Let it Loose program

Dewey said it's too early to tell if the suspected big-eared radix has caused any damage, but she said it could cause problems for the native ram horn snail.

The council's Don't Let it Loose program focuses on discouraging pet owners from dumping tank contents in the wild.

"A lot of species can become invasive from doing this and… it's very inhumane to the pet as well," Dewey said.

"Many people know that we do have invasive goldfish in P.E.I., and this is how they did get introduced to the Island, was most likely through the dumping of aquarium contents."

She said there is an option to ethically surrender pets, even those as small as fish, to the P.E.I. Humane Society.

If the society isn't able to take smaller animals like snails, Dewey said UPEI research labs or school classrooms may want them.