Correcting misidentifications and first confirmation of the globally-invasive Physa acuta Draparnaud, 1805 (Gastropoda: Physidae) in Thailand and Laos

Abstract

Introduced freshwater gastropods in the Indo-Burmese region may be under-documented owing to a lack of research attention. For the first time, we report on the widespread establishment of the globally invasive freshwater snail Physa acuta (Physidae) in Thailand and Laos, including decades old records that had previously been misidentified as Camptoceras jiraponi (Planorbidae). Occurrence of Physa acuta as hitchhikers among ornamental aquatic plants suggests that the ornamental trade was a likely introduction pathway of the species into Thailand. That a globally invasive species was able to spread unnoticed for such a long period of time highlights the need for countries like Thailand to focus research efforts on prevention and early detection of introduced species, in addition to increasing our understanding of native biodiversity.