International Journal of Molecular Ecology and Conservation, 2025, Vol.15, No.4, 196-205 http://ecoevopublisher.com/index.php/ijmec 19 7 threat to native species; On the other hand, its harm to cash crops leads to reduced yields and economic losses, and it can also spread parasites that endanger public health. This study will systematically assess the biological and ecological characteristics, invasion routes and typical cases of the African land snail, deeply analyze its impact mechanisms on ecosystems and agriculture, and review the current prevention and control strategies of various countries as well as their effects and challenges. On this basis, the key directions for future research and management are proposed, with the aim of providing a scientific basis for formulating effective control countermeasures for invasive species. 2 The Biological and Ecological Characteristics of the African landsnail 2.1 Morphological characteristics and taxonomic status The adult shell height of the East African giant snail Achatina fulica is generally 10 to 15 centimeters, and can reach more than 17 centimeters (Guo et al., 2019). Its shell is long and conical, with mottled patterns of brown and yellow stripes, which is conducive to camouflage in vegetation (Figure 1). The shell color of young snails is relatively light and gradually deepens as they grow. This species belongs to the class Gastropoda of the phylum Mollusca and has traditionally been classified under the genus Achatina. Recent molecular phylogenetic studies have shown that it is actually an independent genus of Lissachatina, and thus is often referred to as "Lissachatina fulica" (Odaibo and Olayinka, 2019). As a lung snail, its anatomical structure features typical lung sacs for air respiration. The East African giant snail secretes a large amount of mucus on its body surface, which helps to maintain moisture, defend against predation and glide. The adult snail has a grayish-brown body color, thick feet, and can reach twice the length of the shell when extended. Figure 1 Apertural and abaperural views of shell of Achatina fulica collected From Itori, Ogun State, Nigeria (Adopted from Odaibo and Olayinka, 2019) Image caption: Scale bar = 1.0cm (Adopted from Odaibo and Olayinka, 2019) In terms of taxonomic status, A. fulica belongs to the Achatinidae family and is one of the largest species in this family in terms of both size and ecological impact (Bohata and Patoka, 2023). The Invasive Species Specialist Group of IUCN has included it in the list of "The 100 Most Harmful Invasive Species in the World" (Jing et al., 2015). This prominent taxonomic status and morphological characteristics provide a basis for identification, monitoring and public publicity, but its concealment in nature and high reproductive capacity also increase the difficulty of early detection and control.
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