Population estimate of Chinese mystery snail (Bellamya chinensis) in a Nebraska reservoir

Authors

Noelle M. Chaine, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Craig R. Allen, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Kent A. Fricke, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Danielle M. Haak, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Michelle L. Hellman, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Robert A. Kill, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Kristine T. Nemec, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Kevin L. Pope, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Nicholas A. Smeenk, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Bruce J. Stephen, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Daniel R. Uden, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Kody M. Unstad, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Ashley E. VanderHam, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2012

Citation

BioInvasions Records (2012) Volume 1, Issue 4: 283–287; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3391/bir.2012.1.4.07

Abstract

The Chinese mystery snail (Bellamya chinensis) is an aquatic invasive species in North America. Little is known regarding this species’ impacts on freshwater ecosystems. It is believed that population densities can be high, yet no population estimates have been reported. We utilized a mark-recapture approach to generate a population estimate for Chinese mystery snail in Wild Plum Lake, a 6.47-ha reservoir in southeast Nebraska. We calculated, using bias-adjusted Lincoln-Petersen estimation, that there were approximately 664 adult snails within a 127 m² transect (5.2 snails/m²). If this density was consistent throughout the littoral zone (depth) of the reservoir, then the total adult population in this impoundment is estimated to be 253,570 snails, and the total Chinese mystery snail wet biomass is estimated to be 3,119 kg (643 kg/ha). If this density is confined to the depth sampled in this study (1.46 m), then the adult population is estimated to be 169,400 snails, and wet biomass is estimated to be 2,084 kg (643 kg/ha). Additional research is warranted to further test the utility of mark-recapture methods for aquatic snails and to better understand Chinese mystery snail distributions within reservoirs.