Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
image/svg+xml Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Closed Access logo, derived from PLoS Open Access logo. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Closed_Access_logo_transparent.svg Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao ZENODOarrow_drop_down
image/svg+xml Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Closed Access logo, derived from PLoS Open Access logo. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Closed_Access_logo_transparent.svg Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao
ZENODO
Dataset . 2010
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
image/svg+xml Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Closed Access logo, derived from PLoS Open Access logo. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Closed_Access_logo_transparent.svg Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao
ZENODO
Dataset . 2010
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
versions View all 2 versions
addClaim

This Research product is the result of merged Research products in OpenAIRE.

You have already added 0 works in your ORCID record related to the merged Research product.

Feeding ecology of the alien invasive pulmonate, Theba pisana (White garden snail), in the West Coast National Park, South Africa

Authors: Haupt, Tanya;

Feeding ecology of the alien invasive pulmonate, Theba pisana (White garden snail), in the West Coast National Park, South Africa

Abstract

Theba pisana (White Garden snail), is native to both Southern Europe and Northern Africa, and was introduced to South Africa in 1881. Since then, it has become widely distributed along the coast, including the West Coast National Park (WCNP). This study aimed to determine the feeding ecology (i.e. feeding duration & consumption rate) of T. pisana, and thus the impact on the vegetation. Field observations to determine the feeding duration was conducted by observing snails on their naturally occurring vegetation every two-hours for twenty-four-hours over varying weather conditions. Temperature (C) and humidity (%) were recorded every two hours. Laboratory experiments were performed to determine the consumption rate of five naturally occurring plant species (Euphorbia mauritanica, Chrysanthemoides incana, Willdenowia incurvata, Ruschia macowanii, Lebeckia spinescence) as well as the cultured diet (cabbage leaves). The results showed that T. pisana are inactive in high temperatures (20.4–28 C), slightly active (10%) in low temperatures (4-8C) and high humidity (85-96%), and largely active (87-96%) when a constant humidity (49-72%) or sudden moisture (e.g. rain) (56-73%) is experienced irrespective of temperature. Snails preferred cabbage leaves (0.089g/day) to the naturally occurring plant species. With approximately 4.04 snails per m2 in the park and snails being active approximately 120 days (i.e. no. of rainy days), the annual potential consumption rate would be 13.5 g/snail on a naturally occurring food item (e.g. Chrysanthemoides incana 0.028g/day). With this low density, T. pisana might not pose an immediate threat, but the eradication is still important for the continual success of the WCNP as a conservational area.

Related Organizations
Keywords

West Coast National Park, Theba pisana, Honours

  • BIP!
    Impact byBIP!
    selected citations
    These citations are derived from selected sources.
    This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    0
    popularity
    This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
    Average
    influence
    This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    Average
    impulse
    This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
    Average
    OpenAIRE UsageCounts
    Usage byUsageCounts
    visibility views 2
    download downloads 3
  • 2
    views
    3
    downloads
    Powered byOpenAIRE UsageCounts
Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
visibility
download
selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
views
OpenAIRE UsageCountsViews provided by UsageCounts
downloads
OpenAIRE UsageCountsDownloads provided by UsageCounts
0
Average
Average
Average
2
3
Related to Research communities