Abstract: A comparative study on measurable characters, age structure, sex ratio and density dependence of Pomacea canaliculata populations from 4 habitats in 11 areas of Guangdong Province were conducted. The results showed that measurable characters of P. canaliculata significantly differed among habitats (P<0.05). The relationship between body mass and shell height conformed to the allometric equation with different allometric indexes in different habitats. The age structure of P. canaliculata was different among different habitats, with expanding populations in the paddy fields and ditches and stable populations in the waste paddy fields and ponds. The habitat did not significantly affect sex ratio (P>0.05), but it significantly influenced the relationship between sex ratio and body weight (P<0.05). The population growth of P. canaliculata was densitydependent and the effect of density dependence was different among 4 habitats with the smallest value in the ditch, middle in the paddy field and waste paddy field, maximum in the pond. Our study suggested that the measurable characters and population structure of P. canaliculata populations were significantly affected by habitat conditions. Given its different growth potentials in different habitats, specific prevention and control measures should be drafted to manage this invasive species.

Key words: NBPT, urease inhibition rate, NPPT, urea, soil texture, urease inhibitors