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This is the first record of two non-native terrestrial slug species from Sinaloa, Mexico. Deroceras laeve and Sarasinula plebeia were collected between 2019 and 2022 in Concordia and Mazatlan Municipalities (north-western Mexico). The external morphology and anatomic features of the dissected specimens coincide with the descriptions of each species, whose identities were also confirmed by their partial COI sequences. The ample occurrence of S. plebeia suggests that this species has an established population, while D. laeve was found as isolated individuals, likely associated with plant nurseries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents data on the biology and life cycle of Candaharia levanderi (Simroth, 1901) in laboratory and natural conditions. Candaharia levanderi belongs to the family Parmacellidae, common species in Uzbekistan. Lives for a year. On the plains in the first decade of March, it wakes up from hibernation and until midApril, intensively feeding, prepares for reproduction. After laying eggs, the slugs die. Slugs hatched from eggs go into summer diapause. The life cycle of Candaharia levanderi consists of 4 stages: infantile, juvenile, adult and senile. Candaharia levanderi - a harmful species, the main harmfulness is high in spring. It is one of the main pests of cultivated and ornamental plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global climate changes are causing an increase in the number and harmfulness of slugs. Deroceras agreste (Linnaeus, 1758) (Stylommatophora, Agriolimacidae) is a polyphagous phytophage that damages over 150 species of plants, including many vegetables, cultivated berries and grasses. Other than decrease in yield, slugs cause deterioration of consumer qualities of the products, promote infections of plants, and are intermediate hosts of some parasites of mammals and birds. Thus, slugs impose great losses on agricultural farming, and therefore the objective of our study was determining the variability of locomotor activity of D. agreste slugs in reaction to aromatic substances. We determined repellent or attractive effects of those substances for the purpose of further using the obtained data for plant protection. We tested 52 substances and their mixtures, which were conditionally divided into the following groups: chemical solvents, plant extracts, aromatizers, organic acids and synthetic cosmetic additives. Only dimethyl sulfoxide could be identified as an attractant. All the rest of the substances increased the speed of the slugs to various degrees, but had no significant effect on the direction of the animals’ movement. Gasoline increased the speed of the slugs’ movement by 3.20 times, xylene by 4.56. The most effective organic acids and aromatizers to increase the moving speed of slugs were avobenzone and formic acid: the first caused a 2.83-fold increase in the moving speed, the other a 3.16-fold increase. Only one of 13 aromatic substances changed the direction of the slugs’ movement during the experiment – β-ionone. As with the plant extracts, the highest effect on locomotor activity of slugs was exerted by tree bark of Quillaja saponaria (3.64-fold) and Aesculus hippocastanum extract (4.33-fold). Furthermore, together with Capsicum frutescens, they changed the direction the mollusks were moving in, and therefore could be used as repellents. Synthetic cosmetic additives hydrolyzed silk and chrysalide oil exerted the greatest effects on the lcomotor activity of slugs (3.16 and 3.20 times, respectively). A total of 78.6% of the slugs moved away from chrysalide oil, and thus this oil may be suggested as a repellent, as well as mousse de babassu and cocamidopropyl betaine (84.6% and 78.6%, respectively). Therefore, a large amount of the tested substances to one or another extent made the slugs move faster, but most of them did not alterthe direction in which the slugs were moving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite their large size, striking colouration and genital extravagance, the taxonomy of the European giant keelback slugs of the genus Limax is still poorly understood. Preliminary morphological and molecular data suggest that many unnamed or unrecognised species exist, especially in the Alps, the Mediterranean and the Balkans. We organised a citizen science expedition to Durmitor National Park in Montenegro and discovered a new species, genetically distinct, but morphologically similar to the sympatric L. cinereoniger Wolf 1803 and describe it as L. pseudocinereoniger. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New findings of larger slugs from different localities of eastern Cuba, belonging to the family Veronicellidae (Gray, 1840), are revealed. Three of these species could be new to science. This paper verifies the geographic distribution, color forms and sizes, based on the evidence known to date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The knowledge of relationships between taxa is essential to understand and explain the chemical diversity of the respective groups. Here, twelve individuals of the panpulmonate slug Peronia persiae from two localities in Persian Gulf, and one animal of P. verruculata from Bangka Island, Indonesia, were analyzed in a phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic framework. Based on the ABGD test and haplotype networking using COI gene sequences of Peronia specimens, nine well-supported clades were found. Haplotype network analysis highlighted a considerable distance between the specimens of P. persiae and other clades. Metabolomic analysis of both species using tandem mass spectrometry-based GNPS molecular networking revealed a large chemical diversity within Peronia of different clades and localities. While P. persiae from different localities showed a highly similar metabolome, only few identical chemical features were found across the clades. The main common metabolites in both Peronia species were assigned as polypropionate esters of onchitriols and ilikonapyrones, and osmoprotectant amino acid-betaine compounds. On the other hand, the isoflavonoids genistein and daidzein were exclusively detected in P. persiae, while cholesterol and conjugated chenodeoxycholic acids were only found in P. verruculata. Flavonoids, bile acids, and amino acid-betaine compounds were not reported before from Onchidiidae, some are even new for panpulmonates. Our chemical analyses indicate a close chemotaxonomic relation between phylogeographically distant Peronia species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land snails and slugs (Gastropoda: Caenogastropoda and Pulmonata) were surveyed in a suburban yard in Fairfax County, Virginia. Twenty-three species were documented from a 0.10 ha lot. Discus rotundatus is documented for the first time in Virginia. Opeas pyrgula, Paralaoma servile, and Pupilla muscorum are documented for the second time in Virginia and for the first time in Fairfax County. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inside a long-term agronomic trial aimed at evaluating the effects of organic and low-input conventional management systems on soil fertility and arable crop production, we selected six fields bordered by hedgerows, three under each management system. Here, we analyzed the carabid assemblages and the slug abundance. Samplings took place in five different periods, across 1 yr of observations. The carabid abundances were similar in organic and conventional fields. The Shannon–Wiener diversity index (H ') showed a higher value in the conventional fields, although in the organic fields, a higher number of species were observed. The multivariate analysis described similar carabid communities, but excluding the period factor, it showed a significant influence of the management system. There was no difference between the captures of traps placed along the hedgerow and in the middle, whereas in the conventional fields, the hedgerow traps captured a higher number of specimens, showing a role of the hedgerow as carabid reservoir. The slugs were present mainly while green manure was grown on the organic fields where also Poecilus cupreus Linné, 1758 (Coleoptera: Carabidae) was captured abundantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predation is a key selective force in the evolution and maintenance of multiple traits in prey animals. Terrestrial slugs (Mollusca: Gastropoda) are an interesting group in which to study anti‐predator behaviour because few predators are mollusc‐specialists. Ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae), however, are important slug predators and slugs appear to possess general defences when carabids are encountered. Slugs may avoid areas recently visited by carabids (primary defence) or, when attacked, exude highly viscous mucus (secondary defence). Slugs are, however, a polyphyletic group which are present in diverse habitats with varying predation risk. We examined whether avoidance of cues from Pterostichus niger, a generalist carabid predator, is a primary defence shared by a number of slug species from different taxonomic families representing varying degrees of ecological specialization and found, for the first time, that multiple slug species appear to exhibit a general avoidance of carabid scents. Additionally, we examined whether mucus chemistry is altered in response to predation attempts, and whether this is a secondary defence common to multiple species. We found that calcium, a vital element for molluscs, is secreted in greater amounts when slugs are attacked. Choice experiments with P. niger demonstrated that calcium did not affect beetle feeding behaviour but that high‐viscosity gel deterred feeding. We discuss how calcium secretion may contribute to mucus viscosity and represent an effective secondary defence mechanism common to slugs. Results from no‐choice feeding trials suggest that carabid beetles may prevent slugs from exuding defensive mucus by attacking the mantle region. Overall, we show that slugs share common primary and secondary defences but that their expression varies among species, possibly reflecting the natural risk of predation experienced by each slug species. Additionally, some species‐specific anti‐predator traits were observed which cannot be explained as responses to carabids alone, highlighting the importance of considering multiple predators when interpreting anti‐predator behaviour in prey animals. Terrestrial slugs (Mollusca: Gastropoda) face predation from multiple sources including from generalist ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae). In this paper we studied the anti‐predator behaviour of three slug species in response to predation. We found that all slug species exhibited a common primary response (avoidance of carabid scents) and a common secondary response (production of viscous mucus). When attacked, slugs secrete calcium which appears to play an important role in the defensive properties of slug mucus. The strength of anti‐predator responses varied among the slug species examined in a manner that reflects the ecology of each species and their likely exposure to predation by generalist insects © Aidan O'Hanlon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solanum dulcamara (Bittersweet nightshade) shows significant intraspecific variation in glycoalkaloid (GA) composition and concentration. We previously showed that constitutive differences in overall GA levels are correlated with feeding preference of the grey field slug (GFS; Deroceras reticulatum). One particularly preferred accession, ZD11, contained low GA levels, but high levels of previously unknown structurally related uronic acid conjugated compounds (UACs). Here we test whether different slug species as well as insect herbivores show similar feeding preferences among six S. dulcamara accessions with different GA chemotypes. In addition, we investigate whether slug feeding can lead to induced changes in the chemical composition and affect later arriving herbivores. A leaf disc assay using greenhouse-grown plants showed that three slug species similarly preferred accessions with low GA levels. Untargeted metabolomic analyses showed that previous slug feeding consistently increased the levels of N-caffeoyl-putrescine and a structurally related metabolite, but not the levels of GAs and UACs. Slug-induced responses only affected slug preference in one accession. A common garden experiment using the same six accessions revealed that ZD11 received the highest natural gastropod feeding damage, but suffered the lowest damage by specialist flea beetles. The latter preferred to feed on accessions with high GA levels. Our study indicates that different selection pressures imposed by generalist gastropods and specialist insects may explain part of the observed chemical diversity in S. dulcamara. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Molecular tools were designed for six species of mollusc-parasitic nematodes (MPNs). • Specific primers/probe used in a field survey detected low MPN prevalence. • MPN molecular tools allow detection of early infection in slugs. • These molecular tools can assist studies of MPN ecology and biocontrol potential. Abstract Terrestrial gastropod molluscs are widely distributed and are well known as pests of many types of plants that are notoriously difficult to control. Many species of nematodes are able to parasitize land snails and slugs, but few of them are lethal to their host. Species and/or populations of mollusc-parasitic nematodes (MPNs) that kill their hosts are promising for biological control purposes. The recent discovery of new nematode species of the genus Phasmarhabditis in Europe and the associations between Alloionema spp. and slugs are expanding the possibilities of using MPNs as control agents. However, very little is known about the distribution and ecology of these species. Using molecular techniques based on qPCR methods for quick identification and quantification of various species of MPN isolated directly from the soil or from infected hosts can assist in providing information on their presence and persistence, as well as the composition of natural assemblages. Here, we developed new primers and probes for five species of the genus Phasmarhabditis and one species of the genus Alloionema. We employed these novel molecular techniques and implemented a published molecular set to detect MPN presence in soil samples coming from natural and agricultural areas in Switzerland. We also developed a method that allows the detection and quantification of Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita directly from the tissues of their slug host in a laboratory experiment. The new molecular approaches were optimized to a satisfactory limit of detection of the species, with only few cross-amplifications with closely related species in late cycles (>32). Using these tools, we detected MPNs in 7.5% of sampled sites, corresponding to forest areas (P. hermaphrodita and Alloionema appendiculatum) and wheat-oriented agricultural areas (Phasmarhabditis bohemica). Moreover, we confirmed that the method can be used to detect the presence of P. hermaphrodita inside slug hosts, with more detections in the susceptible slug Deroceras larvae compared to the resistant Arion vulgaris. These primers/probe sets provide a novel and quick tool to identify MPNs from soil samples and infected slugs without having to culture and retrieve all nematode life stages, as well as a new tool to unravel the ecology of nematode-slug complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Spanish slug, a species that is considered to be the most destructive pest among molluscs of Europe, is reported to spread widely across Ukraine during last 5–7 years. In addition to its 5 known colonies in Western Ukraine, over 60 new localities from Western, Central, Northern, Southern and Eastern Ukraine are reported for the first time using own materials and reports with photo from the general public. Newly reported localities include such major cities as Kyiv, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Khmelnitsky, Vinnytsia, Ternopil, Zhytomyr, Lutsk, Chernivtsi and Ivano-Frankivsk, and also the settlements in Odesa and Mykolaiv Regions. Species is also reported for the first time from Grodno City in Belarus and from Moscow City in Russia. Much wider future expansion of the Spanish slug in Eastern Europe is expected in near time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Helicarion Férussac, 1821 currently comprises four semislug species from south-eastern Australia (Tasmania to New South Wales). We comprehensively revise the taxonomy of this group based on comparative morphology and on the mitochondrial genes COI and 16S, provide a new generic diagnosis and revise species descriptions. Contrary to the previous classification, we found that Helicarion encompasses only two species, differentiated by anatomy and mitochondrial genetics. Both contain several divergent mitochondrial DNA lineages. Based on their rather inconsistent morphological differentiation and their allopatric to parapatric distribution, we suggest that these intraspecific lineages may be in a transient stage of speciation. The type species, Helicarion cuvieri (Férussac, 1821), is redefined to include populations from Tasmania, Victoria and southern New South Wales, as far north as Wyong. Helicarion niger (Quoy & Gaimard, 1832), Helicarion leopardinus Iredale, 1941 and Helicarion mastersi callidus Iredale, 1941 are now recognized as synonyms of H. cuvieri. Helicarion mastersi (Cox, 1868) is restricted to an area from north of Nowra to southern Sydney in New South Wales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potential barrier materials (diatomaceous earth, hydrated lime, sulfur, fumed silica, wood ash) and chemical repellents (2 essential oil-based sprays) were evaluated for their efficacy to prevent herbivory by the Florida leatherleaf slug, Leidyula floridana (Leidy, 1851) (Gastropoda: Veronicellidae) by placing a band of material around the plant tissue or by direct application to foliage. Hydrated lime and sulfur effectively prevented foliage damage compared with the other 3 materials when presented as barriers. Dusting or sprinkling these barrier materials on foliage generally did not inhibit feeding by slugs, but sprinkling hydrated lime or wood ash onto foliage significantly reduced herbivory. Two commercially available essential oil formulations were evaluated for their effectiveness at repelling L. floridana. Pure 'N' Natural Snail & Slug Away (a cinnamon oil-based product) was quite effective whereas Slug & Snail Defense (containing cedar oil, pine oil, peppermint oil, and white pepper) was ineffective. Contact toxicities of barrier materials and essential oil products were assessed, and compared with a metaldehyde-based bait (Corry's Slug and Snail Pellets), an iron phosphate-based bait (Ecosense Slug and Snail Pellets), and a sulfur-based bait (Ortho Bug-getta Snail and Slug Killer2). Mortality of slugs was high when slugs were exposed to metaldehyde, hydrated lime, and the cinnamon oil-based spray. Iron phosphate bait, sulfur bait, and fumed silica were less effective but provided some reduction in herbivory. Soil moisture adversely affected efficacy of barrier materials, significantly compromising functionality relative to dry soils. Water uptake from soil by barrier materials was positively correlated with foliage consumption but pH was negatively correlated. Because of the negative correlation of pH with consumption, the negative effects of soil moisture on barrier effectiveness, and the rapid physiological response of slugs to some materials, these barrier materials are perhaps better considered to be physiochemical barriers rather than physical barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Some plant species can cross with each other but stay nevertheless distinct with little gene flow between them. Selective herbivory could explain this pattern when hybrids are more susceptible or intermediate between their parents. We performed choice and no-choice experiments with the slug Arion lusitanicus to test this hypothesis for the crop Brassica napus , wild B. rapa and their backcross hybrids. In both experiments slugs greatly preferred B. napus over B. rapa while average herbivory on backcross hybrids was intermediate. Concentrations of aliphatic glucosinolates in the hybrids were intermediate between the parental species. Slug herbivory potentially reduces establishment of backcross hybrids. This hypothesis needs to be tested in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ambigolimax valentianus (A. Férussac, 1822), the three-band garden slug, is originally native to the Iberian Peninsula (Spain, Portugal, and the Balearic Islands); however, it has been spread by human activities to many other parts of the world. There is no distributional record of the slug in Turkey to date. The species was recorded for the first time in Turkey during a biological survey carried out in the accommodation area of Dicle University (Diyarbakır) in October 2017. Some of the slugs were transferred to the laboratory for their morphological determination and dissection. Notably, more than 50 species of slugs dwell on Turkish lands and most of them are distributed in the Northern Anatolia Region. A. valentianus is observed here for the first time on Turkish lands. The purpose of the study is to present the first record of A. valentianus in Turkey and contribute to the checklist of Turkish gastropods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of parasites to manipulate the behaviour of their hosts has evolved multiple times, and has a clear fitness benefit to the parasite in terms of facilitating growth, reproduction and transfer to suitable hosts. The mechanisms by which these behavioural changes are induced are poorly understood, but in many cases parasite manipulation of serotonergic signalling in the host brain is implicated. Here we report that Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita , a parasite of terrestrial gastropod molluscs, can alter the behaviour of slugs. Uninfected slugs ( Deroceras panormitanum, Arion subfuscus and Arion hortensis ) avoid areas where P. hermaphrodita is present, but slugs infected with P. hermaphrodita are more likely to be found where the nematodes are present. This ability is specific to P. hermaphrodita and other nematodes ( Steinernema carpocapsae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora ) do not induce this behavioural change. To investigate how P. hermaphrodita changes slug behaviour we exposed slugs to fluoxetine (a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) and cyproheptadine (a serotonin receptor antagonist). Uninfected slugs fed fluoxetine no longer avoided areas where P. hermaphrodita was present; and conversely, infected slugs fed cyproheptadine showed no increased attraction to areas with nematodes. These findings suggest that a possible mechanism by which P. hermaphrodita is able to manipulate parasite avoidance behaviour in host slugs is by manipulating serotonergic signalling in the brain, and that increased serotonin levels are potentially associated with a reduction in parasite avoidance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical cues allow prey to avoid predators without direct contact, which may greatly improve chances of survival, but may be costly if threat is overestimated. Hence, the threat-sensitive predator avoidance hypothesis predicts that prey response to predation threat cues should match the level of danger posed by the predators. While the behavioural response of prey to chemical cues betraying the presence of predators has been observed and well documented in numerous taxa, few studies have been carried out on terrestrial gastropods, despite olfaction being their primary sense. In a previous study, the authors found that the slug Deroceras reticulatum, which inhabits wet environments, responds to chemical cues from specific groundbeetle species. In order to determine whether this observation can be extended to other species of terrestrial gastropods, we examined the response of the xerophilous land snail, Xeropicta derbentina, to the presence of chemical cues from several predacious ground beetles (Carabus auratus, C. auronitens, C. nemoralis, C. coriaceus and C. morbillosus). Only C. morbillosus, a potent snail-eater from sunny habitats, significantly altered the snails' choice of climbing area whereas, in another experiment, it did not modify the shelter choice of the slug D. reticulatum. These results are consistent with a species-specific perception of predation threat in terrestrial gastropods, which may be based on a combination of ecological and biological features in both predator and prey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous important ecosystem functions and services depend on soil biodiversity. However, little is known about the mechanisms which maintain the vast belowground biodiversity and about the filters shaping soil community composition. Yet, biotic interactions like facilitation and dispersal by animals are assumed to play a crucial role, particularly as most soil animal taxa are strongly limited in their active dispersal abilities. Here, we report on a newfound interaction of potentially high ubiquity and importance in soil communities: the endozoochorous dispersal of soil fauna by gastropods. We focus on the dispersal-limited group of oribatid mites, one of the most diverse and abundant soil animal groups. In a field survey in a German riparian forest, 73% of 40 collected slugs (Arion vulgaris) egested a total of 135 oribatid mites, belonging to 35 species. Notably, 70% of the egested mites were alive and survived the gut passage through slugs. Similar results were found for Roman snails (Helix pomatia), indicating the generality of our findings across different gastropod taxa. Complementary laboratory experiments confirmed our field observations, revealing that oribatid mites are, indeed, ingested and egested alive by slugs, and that they are able to independently escape the faeces and colonise new habitats. Our results strongly indicate that gastropods may help soil organisms to disperse within habitats, to overcome dispersal barriers, and to reach short-lived resource patches. Gastropods might even disperse whole multi-trophic micro-ecosystems, a discovery that could have profound implications for our understanding of dispersal mechanisms and the distribution of soil biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) are used worldwide to control populations of agricultural and urban rodents, but these pesticides may be accumulated in and poisoned non-target species of wildlife. Slugs may feed on rodenticide bait following field applications. Thus, it can be assumed that their predators are exposed to rodenticides through food chain transfer. However, AR exposure in the slugs has not been systematically studied. We investigated the accumulation of three ARs (chlorophacinone, bromadiolone or brodifacoum) in the slug Deroceras reticulatum exposed for a period of 5 days followed by depuration time of 4 days in the laboratory. Moreover, we studied the exposure of slugs to brodifacoum in the field. In the laboratory exposure, the slugs consumed rodenticide baits, but no mortality was observed. After 1 day, their concentrations were stable over the time and no differences were detected between the concentrations of the three ARs. After 5 days of exposure, mean concentrations in slugs were 1.71, 1.91 and 0.44 mg/kg wet weight for chlorophacinone, bromadiolone and brodifacoum respectively. A significant decrease of bromadiolone and brodifacoum in slugs was observed in the post exposure period. In the field study, brodifacoum was detected in > 90% of analyzed slugs after application of brodifacoum baits. Then, based on a toxicity-exposure ratio approach, we found that slug consumption may represent a risk of secondary poisoning for three of their predators under acute, repeated or subchronic exposure scenarios. These results suggest that the slugs are not only the potential subject to primary exposure, but also the source of secondary exposure for their predators following application of rodenticide baits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Earthworms are not a direct pest of turf grass but they are considered a problem on many sports fields, disrupting playability and aesthetics due to the castings they deposit on the playing surface. Also, a number of slug species are well-known foliage destroying pests of a number of agriculturally important crop species. Perennial ryegrass and tall fescue cultivars associated with selected Epichloë endophytes, originally developed for bird management at airports, were assessed to determine their deterrent properties towards worms and slugs. Plots sown with endophyte-free ryegrass had significantly higher numbers of worms and slugs than plots containing the same grass cultivar infected with the endophyte strain AR95. Also, plots sown with endophyte-free tall fescue had significantly higher numbers of slugs (but not worms) than plots containing the same grass cultivar infected with the endophyte strain AR601. Although more research is required on the exact mechanism of action, these results suggest selected novel endophyte-infected grass associations, such as those including the endophyte AR95, may substantially reduce populations of worms and slugs in areas where these grasses are sown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New and little-known terrestrial slugs are dealt with based on extensive collections made in East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda) 1993-2007. This account deals primarily with larger species from forests in the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania. In Veronicellidae, Pseudoveronicella Germain, 1908 is extended to Tanzania by P. (Hoffmannia) zootoca tanzaniensis subsp. n. in the Udzungwa Mts. In Urocyclidae, Dendrolimax parensis sp. n. is described from the Pare Mts. and Leptichnoides avisexcrementis sp. n. is described from the Uluguru Mts. In Urocyclinae, Tanzalimax tattersfieldi gen. & sp. n. is described from the Usambara Mts., Tanzalimax seddonae gen. & sp. n. from the Uluguru Mts., and Udzungwalimax suminis gen. & sp. n. from the Udzungwa Mts. In addition, the ill-defined genus Atrichotoxon Simroth, 1910 is discussed and the little-known Dendrolimax leprosus Pollonera, 1906 is reported from Uganda. In Agriolimacidae, a species of Deroceras Rafinesque, 1820 is reported for the first time from southern Tanzania. The taxonomic attribution and significance of each discovery is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The life-cycle of a recently described protostrongylid lungworm, Varestrongylus eleguneniensis, which infects caribou, muskoxen, and moose from Arctic and boreal regions of North America, was completed experimentally for the first time. A native North American slug species, Deroceras laeve, was infected with the first-stage larvae (L1) isolated from the feces of wild muskoxen to generate third-stage larvae (L3). These were administered to a captive reindeer calf (250 L3) and an adult captive muskox (380 L3). The prepatent periods for the reindeer and muskox were 56 and 72 days, respectively. Patency lasted for only 19 days in the reindeer, and fecal larval counts were very low (0.09-1.53 larvae per gram of feces). Patency in the muskox was at least 210 days, and likely over 653 days, and the fecal larval counts were higher (0.06-17.8 larvae per gram of feces). This work provides the first experimental completion of the life-cycle of V. eleguneniensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The taxonomy of the Onchidiidae has remained extremely confusing for decades. As part of an on-going systematic revision of the entire family, a new genus, Melayonchis Dayrat and Goulding gen. nov., and four new species (Melayonchis eloisae Dayrat sp. nov., Melayonchis siongkiati Dayrat and Goulding sp. nov., Melayonchis annae Dayrat sp. nov., and Melayonchis aileenae Dayrat and Goulding sp. nov.) are described. Species are delineated using an integrative approach, based on morphological characters and DNA sequences. First-hand field observations and pictures of live animals are provided in order to help future species identification. All four Melayonchis species live in mangrove forests. The geographic distribution of Melayonchis ranges from the Andaman Sea to the South China Sea through the Strait of Malacca. Records are based on entirely new collections from the Andaman Islands, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam and Vietnam. The nomenclature of all existing onchidiid species- and genus-group names from that region is addressed, as well as intraspecific character variation within Melayonchis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study conducted to determine and quantify the spontaneous shedding of infective third-stage larvae for five metastrongyloid parasites of canids and felids by experimental infection of a laboratory raised slug species, Limax maximus. These five five metastrongyloid parasites include Angiostrongylus vasorum, Crenosoma vulpis, Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, Oslerus rostratus and Troglostrongylus wilsoni.

Background: Animal colours and patterns commonly play a role in reducing detection by predators, social signalling or increasing survival in response to some other environmental pressure. Different colour morphs can evolve within populations exposed to different levels of predation or environmental stress and in some cases can arise within the lifetime of an individual as the result of phenotypic plasticity. Skin pigmentation is variable for many terrestrial slugs (Mollusca: Gastropoda), both between and within species. The Kerry spotted slug Geomalacus maculosus Allman, an EU protected species, exhibits two distinct phenotypes: brown individuals occur in forested habitats whereas black animals live in open habitats such as blanket bog. Both colour forms are spotted and each type strongly resembles the substrate of their habitat, suggesting that G. maculosus possesses camouflage. Results: Analysis of digital images of wild slugs demonstrated that each colour morph is strongly and positively correlated with the colour properties of the background in each habitat but not with the substrate of the alternative habitats, suggesting habitat-specific crypsis. Experiments were undertaken on laboratory-reared juvenile slugs to investigate whether ultraviolet (UV) radiation or diet could induce colour change. Exposure to UV radiation induced the black (bog) phenotype whereas slugs reared in darkness did not change colour. Diet had no effect on juvenile colouration. Examination of skin tissue from specimens exposed to either UV or dark treatments demonstrated that UV-exposed slugs had significantly higher concentrations of black pigment in their epithelium. Conclusions: These results suggest that colour dimorphism in G. maculosus is an example of phenotypic plasticity which is explained by differential exposure to UV radiation. Each resulting colour morph provides incidental camouflage against the different coloured substrate of each habitat. This, to our knowledge, is the first documented example of colour change in response to UV radiation in a terrestrial mollusc. Pigmentation appears to be correlated with a number of behavioural traits in G. maculosus, and we suggest that understanding melanisation in other terrestrial molluscs may be useful in the study of pestiferous and invasive species. The implications of colour change for G. maculosus conservation are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita is the only commercial biological control agent for terrestrial slugs. We investigated whether the predicted conditions of winter warming could have any effect on its performance. In the presence of nematodes, slug damage to lettuce plants and slug survival were significantly lower under the predicted conditions of winter warming than under normal winter conditions, while in the absence of nematodes, slug damage and survival were similar under the conditions of winter warming and under current winter conditions. The data suggest that P. hermaphrodita may perform better under the predicted conditions of winter warming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The degree of damage done to lupin plants by slugs is highly dependent on the species and the cultivar of plant. A study was carried out, in laboratory conditions and on small plots, to investigate the extent of damage done to plants of eight cultivars of narrow-leafed lupin when exposed to grazing byArion vulgaris,Arion rufusandDeroceras reticulatum. Five sweet and three bitter cultivars of lupin were selected, respectively, having low- and high-alkaloid content. The contents of the dominant lupine alkaloids in these plants were determined. It was found that the susceptibility of the plants to slug damage is dependent on their content of alkaloids. The plants of high-alkaloid cultivars (Karo, Mirela and Oskar) were less heavily damaged by the studied species of slugs. The greatest differences were recorded forA. vulgarisandD. reticulatum, while the differences forA. rufuswere smaller. For all studied slug species, the differences were statistically significant. The results of carried out experiments may potentially be of use in the selection of cultivars ofLupinus angustifoliusto be grown in areas inhabited by these slug species. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article discusses the variety of insects, Slugs and spiders found in the glass-sided and glass roofed porch of the author including Southern Hawker dragonfly Aeshna cyanea, Bush-cricket Leptophyes punctatissima and Irish Yellow Slug Limacus maculatus. Other inhabitants of the porch include the house moths like overwintering Harlequin ladybirds.

The presence of intraspecific competitors can increase foraging costs through exploitation of resources. Optimal foraging theory suggests that when the cost of pursuing one food type increases, alternative resources should be accepted. Accepting novel foods readily might put a competitor at an advantage over its more conservative rivals in the race for sufficient sustenance, but also opens it to the danger of poisoning by chemically protected food. Dietary conservatism is a foraging behaviour characterised by a prolonged avoidance of novel foods, long after neophobia (initial fear of novel objects) has been overcome, and so might be seen as a disadvantage to foragers in a competitive situation. There are two stable foraging strategies found within forager populations: 1) adventurous consumers (AC) which rapidly accept novel foods and 2) foragers showing dietary conservatism (DC). The expression of these two strategies may also vary with environmental conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of intraspecific competition on the levels of dietary conservatism displayed among wild caught blue tits Cyanistes caeruleus. Blue tits were offered items of both novel and familiar foods under two conditions: with a competitor and without. Our results showed that individuals who experienced competition incorporated the novel items into their diet faster than those who did not experience competition. This study demonstrates, for the first time, the degree of plasticity in the expression of the DC trait using wild birds in laboratory conditions. This plasticity represents a significant adaptation to reduce the costs of foraging conservatively when novel alternative resources should be accepted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]