Abstract

Ayrton Lima Baccarin

A diagnostic about the conservation status of the Brazilian native land snails, severely threatened by human actions and attempts for the eradication of the invasive exotic mollusc species Achatina (Lissachatina) fulica (Bowdich, 1822) is presented. Purposely introduced in the country in 1988 for human food purpose s (continental malacoculture), this species ended up being officially banned later in 2003, triggering ha sty public actions, directly involving the “unprepared” Brazilian population through the means of social communication, aimed at their control and eradication of the environment. Consequence of this procedure, premature and alarmist, today many species of native and endemic terrestrial snails, poorly known scientifically, are under increased threat of extinction in Brazil and, very probably, in other South American countries.