Ecological Risk Screening Summary - Little Basket Clam (Corbicula australis) - Uncertain Risk

Species that are considered uncertain risk need a more in-depth assessment beyond the Risk Summary to better define the species’ risk to U.S. environments. This additional information will help inform decisions on where, when, and how the species may be used to minimize risks of them becoming invasive.

Little Basket Clam (Corbicula australis) is a freshwater clam native to lotic habitats in Australia. It is sometimes considered a pest because it can clog irrigation pipes. C. australis is a simultaneous hermaphrodite and capable of self-fertilization, which could facilitate rapid colonization and population growth in new habitats. To date, C. australis has not been reported outside of its native range so no information is available to evaluate history of invasiveness. More research is needed to clarify the distribution and taxonomy of this species. Certainty of assessment is low. The climate match within the contiguous United States is high overall, with the highest matches occurring in southern Texas, southern Arizona and California, and northwestern Washington. Overall risk assessment for Corbicula australis is uncertain.

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Uncertain Risk
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Invasive species