First record of the pointed snail Cochlicella acuta (O. F. Müller, 1774) from Iraq
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20021873Keywords:
Cochlicella acuta, land snail, DNA barcoding, morphology, IraqAbstract
The pointed land snail, Cochlicella acuta (O. F. Müller, 1774), belonging to the Family Geomitridae, was recorded for the first time at multiple sites across Erbil City, Iraq, between November 2023 and October 2024, during which average monthly temperatures ranged from 3 to 44°C. Specimens were collected by hand from grasses and soil surfaces at various locations, and this species was additionally detected in imported black mulberry fruit (Morus nigra), suggesting a potential pathway of introduction through agricultural trade. Species identification was rigorously confirmed through two complementary approaches: detailed morphological analysis based on shell characteristics, including height, width, whorl count, coiling direction, sculpture, and coloration, and molecular identification via DNA barcoding of the mitochondrial Cytochrome C Oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. The obtained sequence showed 99.43% similarity to a reference sequence available in GenBank, confirming the species identity. This finding represents the first documented record of C. acuta in Iraq and highlights the need for strengthened phytosanitary and quarantine measures to prevent the further introduction and spread of non-native gastropod species into the country.
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