Channeled applesnail

Appearance

The shells of these applesnails are globular in shape. Normal coloration typically includes bands of brown, black, and yellowish-tan; color patterns are extremely variable. Albino and gold color variations exist.

The size of the shell is up to 150  mm in length.

Distribution

The native distribution of ''P. canaliculata'' is basically tropical and subtropical, including Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Brazil. The southernmost record for the species is Paso de las Piedras reservoir, south of the Buenos Aires province, Argentina.This species also occurs in the United States, where the initial introductions were probably from aquarium release, aka "aquarium dumping". The non-indigenous distribution includes: Lake Wawasee in Kosciusko County, Indiana;"Channeled Applesnail." Aquatic Invasive Species. Indiana Department of Natural Resources, 16 June 2005. Web. 9 Nov. 2013. . Langan Park and Three Mile Creek in Mobile, Alabama; a pond bordering the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta in Baldwin County, Alabama; Little Wekiva River, Orlando, Florida; a lake near Jacksonville, Florida; Miramar Reservoir in San Diego County, California; and a pond near Yuma, Arizona. Established populations exist in California and Hawaii.

The species has been found in China since 1981. Its initial point of distribution in China was Zhongshan city.

The species has been found in Chile since 2009 with a restricted distribution.

Behavior

In temperate climates, the egg-laying period of this species extends from early spring to early fall. while in tropical areas reproduction is continuous. The duration of the reproductive period of ''P. canaliculata'' decreases with latitude, to a minimum of six months in the southern limit of its natural distribution.

First direct evidence , that proteinase inhibitor from eggs of ''Pomacea canaliculata'' interacts as trypsin inhibitor with protease of potential predators, has been reported in 2010.

Habitat

This species lives in freshwater habitats.

Food

''Pomacea canaliculata'' is extremely polyphagous, feeding on vegetal , detrital, and animal matter. Diet may vary with age, with younger smaller individuals feeding on algae and detritus, and older, bigger individuals later shifting to higher plants.

This species negatively impacts rice and taro agriculture worldwide where it has been introduced.

Predators

The Snail Kite, ''Rostrhamus sociabilis'', is a predator of this species in South America. The fire ant, ''Solenopsis geminata'', has also been observed to prey upon this species.