Theba Pisana - Distribution

Distribution

The species is native to the Mediterranean region. The type locality is Italy.

The distribution of Theba pisana includes the Mediterranean region and adjacent Atlantic coasts from central Morocco to north western Europe:

  • Morocco
  • Portugal
  • In Spain occasionally also in the interior. It is introduced to Minorca. - A subspecies Theba pisana arietina from coastal habitats in Spain is on the Red List as Endangered.
  • Italy
  • Malta
  • Greece
  • Israel
  • Egypt
  • Belgium
  • central Atlantic islands

The species has been introduced to numerous other areas, including:

  • southwestern England and south Wales, Great Britain: - introduced since at least the 1700s
  • eastern and southern Ireland - introduced since at least the 1700s and it is still spreading along frost-free coastal localities.
  • Netherlands - non-indigenous
  • the USA in California
  • parts of Africa
  • Asia
  • southeastern Australia, southwestern Australia and Tasmania
  • South Africa - It was introduced into South Africa prior to 1881. It has invaded the fynbos biome in South Africa. Given the very high densities that Theba pisana can attain at some sites, plus their apparently catholic feeding habits, their potential impact on the vegetation is cause for concern and should be further investigated.

In many of these places T. pisana has become a problematic invasive species and a serious agricultural pest.

This species is already established in the USA, and is considered to represent a potentially serious threat as a pest, an invasive species which could negatively affect agriculture, natural ecosystems, human health or commerce. Therefore it has been suggested that this species be given top national quarantine significance in the USA.

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