Paludina naticoides (Pfeiffer, 1828)

L. naticoides has a one-year life cycle, but is known to live as long as 15 months (Mouthon 2005). A population in the Kuibyshev Reservoir in western Russia reproduces mainly in mid-summer (July), producing only one cohort per year (Yakovlev et al. 2010). L. naticoides is a facultative bottom feeder, consuming suspended organic matter including diatoms and algae and plant remains (Bij de Vaate et al. 2002; Olenin and Daunys 2004; Mouthon 2005). This species is consumed by the fish Benthophilus stellatus (starry goby) (Frolova and Galanin 2007).

Grigorovich et al. 2003 hypothesized that introductions of L. naticoides to the Great Lakes will be most likely from the North, Baltic, Black, and Azov Sea basins from no ballast on board (NOBOB) vessels, but the risk of invasion is low. A report by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans predicted the survival of L. naticoides in ballast water and that the highest risk of introduction to Great Lakes ports is in Montreal and Quebec (Bailey et al. 2011).

Lithoglyphus naticoides has a moderate probability of introduction to the Great Lakes (Confidence level: High).

Potential pathway(s) of introduction: Shipping ballast water.

Lithoglyphus naticoides has a moderate probability of establishment if introduced to the Great Lakes (Confidence level: High).

Summary of species impacts derived from literature review. Click on an icon to find out more...

Environmental	Socioeconomic

L. naticoides serves as the first intermediate host and dispersal mechanism for several parasitic trematode species (e.g. Apophallus spp., Nicolla skrjabini, Echinochasmus spp., Sanguinicola sp. and Palaeorchis incognitus) (Zhokhov and Pugacheva 2001; Matisky 2007; Staneviciute et al. 2008; Tyutin and Slynko 2010; Molnár et al. 2016; Petkeviciute et al. 2020). Trematode infections are correlated with high abundance of L. naticoides (Yakovlev et al. 2010). Several trematode species, including Apophallus müehlingi and A. donicum in heavily infected hosts, can cause a black-spot disease in young fish, resulting in an 80% mortality rate in some cyprinids (Biserova 1990; 2005; Matisky 2007). Birds and mammals, including humans, that consume raw fish exhibiting symptoms of black-spot disease may also experience pathogenic effects (Niemi and Macy1974; Biserova 2005). Health impacts on organisms by other trematodes common in L. naticoides are still unknown (Molnár et al. 2016).

Under favorable conditions, L. naticoides can form dense populations on substrate, reaching a maximum of 8800 individuals per m² in Lake Lukomskoe, Belarus (Biserova 1990; Mastitsky and Samoilenko 2006). However, mean yearly proportions of L. naticoides did not exceed 8% of total biomass of macrozoobenthos in Lake Lukomskoe (Matisky and Samoilenko 2006). A few populations of L. naticoides in the lower Nemunas River, Lithuania were considered “high-impact” and were associated with lower native species diversity and abundance (Arbaciauskas et al. 2011b). However, most invasive populations of L. naticoides in Europe have not yet been shown to have any significant negative impacts on invaded ecosystems and are inferior competitors to other invasive molluscs (e.g. Dreissena polymorpha, Dreissena rostriformis bugensis, and Corbicula fluminea) (Matisky and Samoilenko 2006; Yakovlev et al. 2010; Schmidlin et al. 2012; Butkus et al. 2014).

There is little or no evidence to support that Lithoglyphus naticoides has the potential for significant socioeconomic impacts if introduced to the Great Lakes.

As of 2014, there have been no documented negative economic impacts from the invasion of L. naticoides in Lithuania (Butkus et al. 2014).

Current research on the potential for beneficial impacts to result from Lithoglyphus naticoides if introduced to the Great Lakes is inadequate to support proper assessment.

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