Snail herbivory on submerged macrophytes and nutrient release: Implications for macrophyte management

Radix swinhoei (H. Adams) is a freshwater snail commonly found in shallow regions of Lake Taihu. This research estimated, based on experiments, the consumption rates of R. swinhoei on three young submerged plants (Vallisneria spiralis, Hydrilla verticillata and Potamogeton malaianus) and its rates of nutrient release. Results showed that the snails consumed V. spiralis at the highest rate (23.34 mg g−1 d−1), P. malaianus at a lower rate (11.97 mg g−1 d−1), and H. verticillata at the lowest rate (7.04 mg g−1 d−1). The consumption rates on V. spiralis varied significantly, with snail size, ranging from 13.63 mg g−1 d−1 for large-size snails to 143.42 mg g−1 d−1 for small-size ones.The average nutrient release rates of snails grazing on different macrophytes were 45.93 μg PO4-P and 0.58 mg NH4-N g−1 d−1. The food species had a significant effect on NH4-N release rates but not on PO4-P. However, the snail size had a significant effect on PO4-P release rates and not on NH4-N. The present study indicates that through selective grazing and nutrient release, snails may impose a significant impact on the macrophyte community, which should be considered in managing the macrophytes of a lake.