Three species of apple snails (Ampullariidae) have been introduced to Hawaii. In order to clarify their identities, determine their geographic origins, and evaluate their mtDNA diversity in Hawaii, we sequenced the COI and ND6 mtDNA markers from 103 snails collected on the six main Hawaiian islands. Our samples included Pila conica and Pomacea canaliculata, whose identities were confirmed by phylogenetic analysis that included other ampullariid species. The third species, Pomacea diffusa, known to have been present in the past, was not found. Neither species exhibited any variation at either marker. Both species may have been introduced to Hawaii as single introductions, possibly from the Philippines.
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Malacologia
Vol. 50 • No. 1-2
January 2008
Vol. 50 • No. 1-2
January 2008
invasive species
mtDNA
Pila
Pomacea