Photo of Pomacea canaliculata
Pomacea canaliculata, common name the channeled applesnail, is a species of large freshwater snail with gills and an operculum, an aquatic gastropod mollusk in the family Ampullariidae, the apple snails. This species is considered to be in the top 100 of the "World's Worst Invasive Alien Species".
Photo of Pomacea canaliculata
Feeding habits of Pomacea canaliculata
Pomacea canaliculata is extremely polyphagous, feeding on vegetal (primarily macrophytophagous, feeding on floating or submersed higher plants), detrital, and animal matter. Diet may vary with age, with younger smaller individuals feeding on algae and detritus, and older, bigger (15mm and above) individuals later shifting to higher plants.
Photo of Pomacea canaliculata
Life cycle
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.