Genetic Diversity of the Invasive Species <i>Lissachatina fulica</i> in the Urban Area of Cali, Colombia

The African giant snail, Lissachatina fulica (family Achatinidae), is an invasive mollusk found in many countries across the Pacific, the Caribbean, Asia, and Latin America. L. fulica is known for its rapid dispersal and poses several ecosystem problems. It displaces native mollusk species and causes economic losses by damaging cultivated plants. This snail is also a public health concern as it can transmit the nematode Angiostrongylus cantonensis, leading to meningoencephalitis in humans. This study utilizes the 16S rRNA gene to examine the genetic variation of L. fulica in the city of Cali, located in southwestern Colombia. We identified two haplotypes, designated as C and D. Among the 578 samples analyzed, haplotype C was found in 11% of the samples, while haplotype D was present in 89%. Concerning demographic events in L. fulica, such as population expansions, contractions, and bottlenecks, the negative value of Tajima's D index suggests that positive selection has favored certain alleles or haplotypes, reducing genetic variation. In conclusion, the clear dominance of haplotype D in most areas might indicate that haplotype D is either more prevalent or advantageous in these environments. However, further analysis would be needed to understand the reasons for this pattern (e.g., environmental, genetic, or social factors).