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Bulimulus sp. aff. guadalupensis (Bruguière, 1789) West Indian Bulimulus |
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Bulimulus are not uncommon in southeastern Florida, where they
were introduced from the West Indies. However, their initial
discovery in an industrial area of downtown Jacksonville, Duval County by Harry G. Lee during a shopping trip on
2/13/2009 represents the first time they have been recorded from
northeast Florida - over 200 miles from the nearest known population. Subsequently on 6/26/2010, Harry Lee and Ed Cavin discovered another population of apparently the same Bulimulus species in the roadside swale along US-301 about five miles south of Callahan, Florida in Nassau County - a location some 20 miles northwest of the site of the initial find in Duval County. A third, but very large, population of this species was found by this reporters brother and his wife, Dennis and Teggy Frank, at Marble Masters at 7621 North Main Street in downtown Jacksonville on 11/5/2011. During a survey of the location by this reporter on 12/26/2011, both live snails and empty shells were found in the immediate vicinity of the railroad tracks, in vegetation nearby, as well as immediately adjacent to the aforementioned marble dealer. (image of specimens) All three locations where the snails have thus far been found are located on a major rail line as well as a near a road that is used or a business visited by long-haul truckers. One or both of these transportation modes is likely responsible for the introduction and spread of this exotic species. |
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Duval County, Florida |
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