Five alien achatinid land snails (Gastropoda, Eupulmonata) first reported in greenhouses of Italian botanical gardens

Five alien achatinid land snails, previously unrecorded in Italy or Europe, have been identified in the greenhouses of Italian botanical gardens, including the Botanical Garden (Orto Botanico) in Padua. This discovery highlights the role of plant trade and horticultural exchange in dispersing molluscs, with potential ecological and economic implications. The study, conducted between 2017 and 2023, provides the first reports of Allopeas clavulinum, Opeas hannense, Paropeas achatinaceum, Subulina octonaria, and Geostilbia aperta in Italy or Europe. Detailed reproductive anatomy illustrations for four species advance systematic knowledge, while discussions on taxonomy underscore gaps requiring further research, such as the status of Allopeas mauritianum and the real identity of Helix hannense.

Manganelli, G., Benocci, A., Barbato, D., & Giusti, F. (2024). Five alien achatinid land snails (Gastropoda, Eupulmonata) first reported in greenhouses of Italian botanical gardens. ZooKeys, 1208, 99–132. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1208.119147