Ecological impacts and management challenges of non-native molluscs in China

Rapid development in China over the past decades has been accompanied by an ongoing influx of non-native species. Many non-native mollusc species have been introduced both intentionally and unintentionally, leading to the establishment of feral populations through escapees. However, there is limited information regarding the status, threats to native biodiversity, and the contributions of these non-native molluscs to commercial breeding, the aquarium trade, and other sectors. In this study, we reviewed the impacts of introduced non-native molluscs to address these gaps. Additionally, we identified areas for future research and management recommendations. Our findings show that a total of 61 non-native mollusc species, spanning 15 orders, 23 families, and 41 genera, have been introduced into China. The primary pathway of introduction is through commercial breeding (34 species), followed by unintentional imports (20 species) and the aquarium trade (seven species). While many of these non-native molluscs are valuable as commercial breeding products and provide high nutritional value, some have caused significant negative impacts on environmental health, economic development, human health, and various aspects of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Increased research on the monitoring, control, and management of non-native molluscs in China is urgently needed.