Abstract

PATINO-MONTOYA, Angie; MURILLO, Oscar  and  GIRALDO, Alan. Morphological variation in the populations of an invasive species: the Giant African Snail Achatina fulica (Bowdich, 1822) (Mollusca: Gastropoda-Achatinidae) in the department of Valle del Cauca, Colombia. Biota colombiana [online]. 2018, vol.19, n.1, pp.112-122. ISSN 0124-5376.  https://doi.org/10.21068/2018v19n01a07.

Populations of invasive species may differ in the characteristics that determine the intensity of their effects on native ecosystems. The study of morphological variation provides valuable information on different evolutionary and ecological processes. In order to evaluate the patterns of morphological variation of the African Snail (Achatina fulica), an invasive species present in the department of Valle del Cauca, individuals were collected in urban areas of 4 municipalities (Buenaventura, Cali, Tuluá and Cartago). An analysis of geometric morphometry and classification based on the pattern of bands was performed on the collected specimens. A significant morphological variation within the population was found, along with a total of 13 patterns of bands or coloration in the entire sample. Environmental conditions of each locality and controls exerted by the environmental authority are proposed as possible causes of variation.

Keywords : Age range; Biological invasion; Color patterns; Morphology; Mollusks.

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