Research on aquatic snails usually examines consumption of periphyton, but emergence of large, invasive aquatic snails that prefer macrophytes has necessitated a new understanding about snail herbivory. Ample research exists detailing invasive potential of certain species of applesnails, such as Pomacea canaliculata, to successfully invade aquatic ecosystems. However, very few studies examine differences in resource utilization between different size-classes within species, or between closely-related species. To quantify these potential differences, we compared per mass resource consumption at two life history stages by P. canaliculata and a lesser-known species recently identified in Texas (USA), Pomacea insularum. We presented adult and juvenile snails with whole and reconstituted forms of Lactuca sativa longifolia (romaine lettuce), Myriophyllum spp. (watermilfoil), and Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth). In addition, we added chemical extracts to reconstituted watermilfoil and water hyacinth to test if extracts deterred consumption. Addition of periphyton to reconstituted watermilfoil allowed us to examine supplementary structure and chemistry. Juveniles seemed to prefer reconstituted resources. All snails, regardless of life-history stage, avoided water hyacinth in either form. Chemical extracts from both water hyacinth and watermilfoil deterred consumption by all snails. When presented with reconstituted watermilfoil containing additional periphyton, juvenile P. insularum consumed more resource with additional periphyton. In contrast, periphyton presence did not produce a noticeable effect on P. canaliculata consumption. Overall, juveniles of both species consumed considerably more by mass than their respective adult counterparts. Through increased numbers and difficult detection, juvenile applesnails could feasibly consume a greater proportion of plant biomass than adult applesnails and this may partially underlie the success of global applesnail invasions.

Climate change has dramatically altered freshwater ecosystems and will continue to affect them further. As water-level fluctuations increase in frequency and intensity, the tolerance of aquatic organisms to abiotic stressors will become critical determinants of survival. Apple snail species in the genus Pomacea (Ampullariidae) live in freshwater throughout the tropics and subtropics, but deposit egg clutches on terrestrial substrates. Two species, Pomacea canaliculata and Pomacea maculata, are amongst the world’s most invasive species and are expanding their invasive ranges. To evaluate their survival during extreme dry-down conditions in their native range, we collected 156 apple snails (Pomacea spp.) from 4 permanent water bodies in Uruguay and buried them in dry sand to simulate drought. We placed the snails outside, sheltered from sun and rain (ambient temperature: 15.2–28.1°C, ambient humidity: 44.9–100.6% below sand surface, 34.2–98.7% in outside air), and checked survival daily. Genetic identification confirmed the presence of P. canaliculata, P. maculata, and a morphologically indistinguishable undescribed congeneric among these snails. Thirty-six percent of snails survived the entire period (47 d) buried in the sand. Fewer males survived than females. Median lethal exposure time (LT₅₀) was 33 d for the total group of Pomacea species. After re-immersion in water, 93% of survivors resumed normal activities, including feeding, within 24 h and mated during later observations, indicating resistance to drying conditions and resilience during recovery. Offspring from 1 clutch laid after recovery survived >1 y after this experiment. We found high tolerance to prolonged drying and rapid recovery after re-immersion for 3 Pomacea species. As drought frequency increases with climate change, tolerance to these conditions and rapid restoration of normally high reproductive rates after dry-down may confer an advantage to these species, contribute to long-term persistence in their native range, and facilitate continued invasions.

This Teaching Resource emphasizes the value of publishing with undergraduates and may be particularly helpful to incoming faculty who are new to the process of working with students. Beyond simply extolling the virtues of undergraduate research, we examine how such deep learning experiences for students can translate into unique opportunities for the faculty to demonstrate devotion to both teaching and scholarship. Along with highlighting the reasons faculty should consider publishing with undergraduates, we identify the particular challenges that accompany this suggestion and discuss strategies for overcoming them. Our resource includes two decision trees for helping faculty determine whether publishing with undergraduates represents a reasonable and attainable goal and whether an undergraduate has earned authorship. Based on our experience at primarily undergraduate institutions, we provide a list of strategies that may facilitate writing with undergraduates and lead to certain milestones in the careers of both students and faculty.

Guiding undergraduates through the ecological research process can be incredibly rewarding and present opportunities to break down barriers to inclusion and diversity in scientific disciplines. At the same time, mentoring undergraduate researchers is a complicated process that requires time and flexibility. While many academics receive extensive guidance on how to be successful in research endeavors, we pay much less attention to training in mentorship and working collaboratively with undergraduate students. This paper seeks to provide a framework for successfully collaborating with undergraduates including initial recruitment, development of a contract, fostering student ownership of research projects, and submission of a polished manuscript.