Scientific Name: Cipangopaludina Chinensis Malleatus
Common Names: Chinese Mystery Snail, Japanese Mystery Snail, Black Japanese Trapdoor Snail, Asian Apple Snail, Japanese Trapdoor Snail, Rice Snail and Oriental Mystery Snail
INVASIVE to MAINE
Research Summary: Maya P. and Chris B.
Maya: The Chinese mystery snail is a species people don’t
know a lot about. These small animals have traveled
across the world from China and Japan to the United States. A lot of information is unsure and on certain topics, like
control, it was very hard to find any information. One of the most important things I discovered about this species is that these snails can’t be chemically controlled because they can close their operculum (or trap door on their shell) until water conditions are better. This means that if you try to poison them, all you end up doing is hurting the other organisms living in that habitat. The most surprising thing that I learned about my snail is that they are actually eaten my humans. We are their natural predators! |
Chris: The Chinese mystery snail is a invasive species found across America. It is very hard to control the Chinese Mystery snail. They have been invading our native snails and taking over there space. The Chinese Mystery Snail has been introduced to America by Via buckets. The most amazing thing about the Chinese Mystery Snail is that they can be gold, black, and blue. |
Identifying Characteristics
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Taxonomy of Species
Scientific Classification |
What That Classification Means |
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Kingdom | Animalia | Is a eukaryotic, many celled organism that can move and obtain food from other organisms. |
Phylum | Mollusca | Is an organism with coelom (or a case) mesoderm filled with fluid. They also have a strong shell and a soft body. |
Class | Gastropodo |
A class of mollusks typically having a one piece coiled shell and flattened muscular foot with head baring stalked eves. |
Order | Architaenoglossa | Snails which have gills. They also have an operculum, which means a little door on their shell; they live primarily on land and fresh water. |
Family | Viviparidae | Animals that have live babies. (As opposed to eggs.) |
Genus | Cipangopaludina | The Chinese Mystery Snail, Japanese Mystery Snail, Black Snail, or Trapdoor Snail. |
Species | Chinensis |
Most likely from China. Or Chinese. |
Similar species include:
Location and Movement
Origin/ Native Range | Native to Burma, Thailand, South Vietnam, China, Korea, Japan, the Philippines, and Java. |
Introduction |
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Spread of Species |
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Where is it now invasive? |
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Maine
Is this species in Maine? |
Yes |
Where has it been identified? |
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How was this species introduced? |
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Habitat
Natural Environment |
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Climate and Temperature Range |
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Nutrition
Ecological Interactions | Omnivore. |
Obtaining food |
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Consumed By |
Humans, crows, and crabs. |
Impact
Ecological |
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Human |
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Economic | Upsetting fishing. An example of this is fishermen fishing for sein (a species of fish) in Sandusky Bay, Ohio hauled up "two tons of snails". |
Control
Biological |
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Mechanical/Manual | You can control the Chinese mystery snail by using hand and fishing nets. |
Cultural |
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Chemical |
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Interesting Facts
- Males live an average of 3-4 years while females live an average of 5 years.
- When Chinese mystery snails die, they omit an unpleasent odor.