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Mysteries in the Spiral: How did this freshwater snail conquer the world's waters?
In the remote tropics, a freshwater snail called Indoplanorbis exustus is gradually conquering waters around the world. Not only does this snail play a key role as an ecological gland, it may also be an intermediary for many diseases. Its expansion ability and survival adaptability make it particularly outstanding in nature.
Taxonomy
To date, Indoplanorbis exustus is the only known species of this genus. Despite its long history and wide geographical range, new research suggests the genus may contain more than one species.
According to Liu et al., the genetic population of this snail differs between India and Southeast Asia, which may hint at diversity. In this context, Indoplanorbis' closest genetic relative is Bulinus, which is also a blood-sucking disease transmitter.
Distribution range
Indoplanorbis exustus is mainly distributed in Iran, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. The snail was first discovered in the coastal wetlands of southern India, and due to the influence of human activities, its distribution has continued to expand to several countries in the Middle East and Africa.
Research in recent years believes that the appearance of this snail in Africa is mostly the result of human introduction, which makes its global impact not to be underestimated.
Biogeography
As for the origin of Indoplanorbis, Meier-Brook proposed the Gondwana origin theory in Africa and believed that this species may have migrated to Asia through drifting. This process suggests that the species' history may have begun as early as 70 million years ago.
Ecology and habitat
Indoplanorbis exustus is highly adaptable and can survive in a variety of environments, including small ponds and rice fields. They can bury themselves in the soil during dry seasons, and their extremely high drought tolerance allows them to continue to thrive in the face of dry climates. Many biologists believe that the snail's aggressive expansion capabilities are directly related to its high fecundity.
Life cycle and reproduction
Indoplanorbis exustus is a hermaphroditic species that quickly establishes its colonies each year. Under the right water temperature, this snail can reach the peak of reproduction in a year and reproduce with up to 800 eggs. This is not only proof of their strong reproductive ability, but also one of the important reasons why they are an invasive species.
Parasis and health effects
As an intermediate host for various schistosomiasis, Indoplanorbis exustus poses a threat to both the economy and public health, especially in agricultural production and public health.
The snail is thought to be a major intermediary for parasites such as Schistosoma spp., which cause agricultural decline and a public health crisis. People infected with these parasites may develop skin diseases and other health problems.
Utilization and influence of people
Although the spread of Indoplanorbis exustus can pose significant challenges, they are also popular as aquarium pets in some cultures. In these aquariums, their presence is considered an aesthetic addition.
Conclusion
As globalization intensifies, the impact of Indoplanorbis exustus will become more and more profound, forcing us to think about how to effectively respond to this invisible biological threat to protect our ecological environment and public health?< /p>
