DAVIS, E.C.; University of Kansas, Lawrence: Predicting potential distributions of invasive land snails via ecological niche modeling

I will use ecological niche modeling to predict the potential distribution of two invasive snails: the giant African land snail, Achatina fulica, and the rosy wolf snail, Euglandina rosea. Each species� ecological niche will be modeled based upon known occurrence data and environmental data coverages. The ecological niche can be projected onto a map to show where a species is expected to occur. This model is a set of algorithms that operate in an iterative artificial-intelligence-based framework. The results can be used to predict a species� distribution in both its native range and in introduced areas. The potential distribution of the giant African snail, A. fulica, will be predicted for the United States and the rest of the world. Achatina fulica is not currently established in the United States and can be an invasive agricultural pest. The models will be created using localities from the native East African range of A. fulica. Euglandina rosea, the rosy wolf snail, is a predatory snail that was introduced as a biocontrol agent for A. fulica in Hawaii and other locations outside the continental United States. As a biocontrol agent E. rosea was commonly found to attack non-target species. The potential worldwide distribution of E. rosea will be predicted based upon its distribution in the continental United States. These models will identify which geographical areas are currently most at risk for invasion.