We review the taxonomy, biology, and the ecological, economic, and human health impacts of the giant African snail, Lissachatina fulica, in the Pacific. Invasion of L. fulica in the Pacific has a complex history. Rapid population expansions of L. fulica on Pacific Islands, and elsewhere, in the 1930s and 1940s prompted researchers to explore its biology with a focus on understanding and minimizing its impacts in agricultural systems. Similarly, recent outbreaks of rat lungworm disease have prompted increased research exploring diseases associated with L. fulica and other snail species. Consequently, L. fulica is one of the most studied land snail species in the world, and many aspects of its biology (life-history patterns, temperature and humidity requirements, and infection by parasites and pathogens) are relatively well described. However, the ecological and economic impacts of L. fulica throughout the Pacific remain poorly understood. For example, we still have a rudimentary understanding of its diet and habitat requirements, do not know how L. fulica establishment influences many plant or animal communities and ecosystem functions, and there remain diverse opinions regarding its agricultural impact. The main known ecological impacts of L. fulica are associated with the human response to its invasion, which included ill-conceived biocontrol efforts involving introduction of generalist snail predators that have driven extinctions of a significant proportion of the >6,000 native Pacific island land snail species. We know of no current plans for eradication or large-scale control efforts for L. fulica and other invasive snails/slugs in the Pacific with well-established populations. However, emerging health risks (e.g., rat lungworm disease) and better documentation of impacts may change perceptions enough to create policies aimed at controlling L. fulica and other non-native mollusc species and/or preventing further spread and establishment of new non-native molluscs throughout the Pacific.
