A COMPARISON OF THE LIFE CYCLES OF THE SLUGS DEROCERAS RETICULATUM (MULLER) AND ARION INTERMEDIUS NORMAND ON PERMANENT PASTURE

Life cycles of the slugs Deroceras reticulatum and Arion intermediuswere compared over a four-year period on permanent pasture nearOvingham, Northumberland. Both species were semelparous, theirlife cycles taking about one year. D. reticulatum, unlike A.intermedius and other species, had two overlapping generationsthat laid their eggs in late spring and autumn respectivelyand also had one instead of two immature phases in its lifecycle. The pattern and rates of growth for the immature phasesin the life cycle of A. intermedius differed markedly from thosedescribed under laboratory conditions. Growth in the infantilephase was delayed in the field by low winter temperatures whilesecond stage growth was usually delayed in late spring by dryconditions. The life cycle of A. intermedius appears to be synchronisedby seasonal changes in photoperiod, unlike that of D. reticulatum.Growth in D. reticulatum continued throughout the winter monthsexcept under exceptionally cold conditions and was not usuallydelayed by dry conditions in spring. The size of hermaphroditegland relative to body weight in D. reticulatum reached a maximumin mature-unmated slugs and then became progressively smalleras the slug approached the post-reproductive stage which wasrelatively brief. Exceptionally dry conditions in 1962 delayedthe development of the hermaphrodite gland, the maximum sizereached was significantly reduced and fewer eggs were laid. (Received 17 September 1987; accepted 2 January 1988)     

Biology of slugs (Agriolimacidae and Arionidae: Mollusca) in New Zealand hill country pastures

Summary Life cycles of the slugs Deroceras reticulatum and Arion intermedius were studied over a 2.5-year period in a sheep-grazed pasture in the Kaimai Range, New Zealand. D. reticulatum approximated a bivoltine phenology, with intervals between consecutive generations ranging from 4 to 7 months and maximum life span from 8 to 12 months. Egg laying occurred in autumn and spring-early summer. Periods of egg hatching were followed by a phase of juvenile growth characterised by linear increase in the logarithm of population mean body weights. This was followed by a phase of reproductive activity. A. intermedius had an annual life cycle. Eggs laid during late summer and autumn hatched during autumn-winter. Immature slugs were characterised by a period of low growth rate during winter followed by a period of rapid growth culminating in reproductive maturity. In both species, the phase of rapid growth rate was associated with enlargement of the hermaphrodite gland. The size of the hermaphrodite gland relative to body weight reached a maximum during the spermatozoon stage, generally coincident with maximum body weight. During the reproductive period of D. reticulatum and A. intermedius the body weight remained relatively stable but the hermaphrodite gland became progressively smaller as the slugs approached the post-reproductive stage. The albumen gland attained maximum weight at the oocyte stage of the hermaphrodite gland, at the onset of reproductive activity. The pasture, strongly dominated by grasses, was heterogenous in slope, vegetation and treading/grazing influences from sheep due to stratification of the habitat into contour tracks, associated with sheep movement around the slope contours, and intertrack areas. High population densities of D. reticulatum were associated with the track edges (kerbs) and the upper intertrack slopes, while densities of A. intermedius were highest for the intertrack slopes. Low densities of both species occurred on the tracks and at sheep campsites. Analysis of cohort life tables indicated that these dispersion patterns were important in the dynamics of the populations. The stage mortality contributing most to the variance in reproductive populations of both species was that between hatching and onset of reproduction; most of the mortality occurred shortly after hatching on south-facing slopes, but tended to occur later in the life cycle on north slopes. For D. reticulatum this mortality was inversely related to initial density and associated, at least in part, with predation by carabids and birds and with treading by sheep. Density relationships, both at whole plot and plot stratum level, indicated that variations in natality had a stabilizing influence on D. reticulatum populations.     

THE IMPORTANCE OF MUCUS AS A DEFENCE AGAINST CARABID BEETLES BY THE SLUGS ARION FASCIATUS AND DEROCERAS RETICULATUM

The effect of mucus exudation on the survival of Arion fasciatusand Deroceras reticulatum was studied by exposing mechanicallystimulated and control slugs to Carabidae beetles for 24 hours.A light stimulation, lasting three minutes, exhausted the copiousflow of mucus for one day. A generalist, Pterostichus niger,significantly preferred stressed D. reticulatum over controlones. Similarly, P. niger exclusively ate stressed individualsof A. fasciatus. Two beetles which specialize in gastropods,Cychrus caraboides and Carabus violaceus, consumed an equalnumber of stressed and control D. reticulatum and A. fasciatus.The susceptibility of the slug species to predation was different:for each beetle species, the proportion of available D. reticulatumpreyed upon was significantly higher than that of A. fasciatus.The differences in the behaviour of A. fasciatus and D. reticulatumin defending themselves against attacks is described. The mainreason why specialist beetles are able to hunt slugs successfullyis their ability to prevent the slugs from exuding large amountsof mucus. This may succeed by different means: C. violaceustargeted their killing strokes against the posterior part ofthe mantle while C. caraboides hit the head of the slug. Inboth case the strokes seemed to paralyze the slugs. (Received 31 March 1993; accepted 1 October 1993)     

THE INFLUENCE OF AN ALTERNATIVE FOOD ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PROPRIETARY MOLLUSCICIDAL PELLETS AGAINST TWO SPECIES OF SLUGS

The effectiveness of three types of molluscicidal pellets againstDeroceras reticulatum (Müller) and Arion hortensis (Férussac)was assessed in the presence and absence of potato leaf discs.Pellets containing methi-ocarb were significantly more effectiveagainst both of the slug species than either of the metaldehydeformulations, in the absence of leaf discs. When leaf discswere present, methiocarb was no more effective against D. reticulatumthan were the metaldehyde formulations. Leaf discs did not interferewith the effectiveness of methiocarb against A. hortensis. Theresults are discussed in relation to past work and more recentfield studies. (Received 24 March 1986;     

AUTOTOMY IN ARIONID AND LIMACID SLUGS

The occurrence of autotomy was investigated in five terrestrialslug species. Half of the Dcroceras reticulatum and 80 per centof the Limax tenellus slugs which were stimulated mechanicallyin the tail, autotomized the tail. Anon fasciatus, Anon subfuscusand Limax cinereoniger did not show any signs of being ableto autotomize. The autotomized tail of D. rcticulatum and L.tenellus was small compared to the total body weight and alsoto the weight of many predaceous beetles. D. reticulatum andL. tenellus escaped in a few seconds after the beginning ofmechanical stimulation; the reaction time was significantlyshorter than that used by species which did not autotomize theirtail. Comparison between A. fasciatus and D. reticulatum alsoshowed that D. reticulatum sought for refuges significantlymore effectively than A. fasciatus. The exposure of D. reticulatumto the beetle Ptero-stichus mger indicated that autotomy canstop a beetle long enough to let the slug escape. It seems thatautotomy has evolved more frequently in those species whichrely to a great extent on escaping and hiding when defendingthemselves, than in species whose physiology and/or environmentdo not enable them to hide quickly after an attack. (Received 18 February 1993; accepted 19 March 1993)     

SLUG DAMAGE AND NUMBERS OF SLUGS IN OILSEED RAPE BORDERING ON GRASS STRIPS

In 1995, slug damage and numbers of slugs were estimated intwo grass strips and adjacent rape fields. Investigations beganas soon as rape seedlings emerged and lasted for five weeks.Slug damage to rape plants 1 m from the grass strips was significantlyhigher than at greater distances from the strips. Derocerasreticulatum was the most abundant slug species recorded in bothgrass strips and adjacent rape fields. Arion lusitanicus andArion fasciatus were much less abundant than D. reticulatum.In one field, D. reticulatum declined steadily with increasingdistance from the grass strips and therefore appeared to havecaused the majority of severe damage to rape plants close tothe strips. This finding was surprising because until now severeslug damage in oilseed rape beside semi-natural habitats hasbeen observed only where A. lusitanicus was abundant. (Received 12 November 1997; accepted 26 January 1998)     

Microsatellites for the slugs Deroceras reticulatum and Arion intermedius

Microsatellites were developed for two pest slug species: self‐fertilizing Arion intermedius and outcrossing Deroceras reticulatum. Six microsatellites from each species were tested on individuals collected from within and between arable fields. The 39 individuals analysed per species had 3–9 and 7–26 alleles per microsatellite for A. intermedius and D. reticulatum, respectively. Gene diversity, [1 ? Σp_i²] , ranged from 0.19 to 0.75 and 0.74 to 0.95, respectively.     

THE INFLUENCE OF FOOD DEPRIVATION ON THE LOCOMOTOR ACTIVITY OF SLUGS

Experimental animals used in studies of feeding behaviour areusually starved prior to observation, although little is knownof the behavioural effects of such pre-experimental treatment.This study investigated the effect of food deprivation on thelocomotor activity of two species of slugs, Deroceras reticulatumand Milax budapestensis. Locomotor activity was measured bythe quantitative assessment of mucus trails. The more surfaceactiveD. reticulatum showed a marked increase in its locomotoractivity when deprived of food, whereas the locomotor activityof M. budapestensis decreased. The implications of the resultsare discussed in relation to the ‘life-styles’ ofthe two species and the possible implications for the controlof slugs in the potato crop. ^*Present address: 59 Valley Park Drive, Clanfield, Hants. PO80PL. (Received 24 May 1986;     

LIFE HISTORIES AND GROWTH OF THE GASTROPODS BITTIUM RETICULATUM AND BARLEEIA UNIFASCIATA INHABITING THE SEAWEED GELIDIUM LATIFOLIUM

Bittium reticulatum and Barleeia unifasciata are two of themost abundant microgastropods inhabiting the alga Gelidium latifoliumin the North of Spain. Bittium reticulatum produces one cohortannually, born in August, and living over two years. Barleeiaunifasciata shows two population groups, each one formed bytwo cohorts. There are important differences in density andgrowth rate between the two groups. The two species are separatedspatially on Gelidium. Bittium reticulatum prefers to live atthe base of the plant and Barleeia unifasciata prefers the upperpart. There are different demographic patterns in each population.This fact supports the concept of distribution in compartmentsrelative to intertidal systems. Each compartment favours differentdemographic patterns (Received 10 February 1987;     

The introduced slugs of New Zealand (Gastropoda: Pulmonata)

Abstract

Eleven species of slug introduced into the New Zealand fauna are discussed: Testacellidae - Testacella haliotidea Draparnaud, 1801 (T. vagans Hutton, 1882 n.syn.); Arionidae - Arion intermedius (Normand, 1852), A. hortensis Férussac, 1819 (A. incommodus Hutton, 1879 n.syn.); Milacidae - Milax gagates (Draparnaud, 1801), M. budapestensis (Hazay, 1881), M. sowerbyi (Férussac, 1823); Limacidae - Deroceras reticulatum (Müller, 1774) (Limax molestus Hutton, 1879 n.syn.), D. panormitanum (Lessona & Pollonera, 1882), Limax maximus Linnaeus, 1758, Lehmannia flava (Linnaeus, 1758), L. nyctelia (Bourguignet, 1861). Of these, T. haliotidea, M. budapestensis, M. sowerbyi, D. panormitanum, and L. nyctelia are recorded from New Zealand for the first time. A key for the identification of these species is provided. Species thought to be doubtfully established are discussed, and a list is given of recent interceptions at New Zealand ports.     

Tracking predator density dependence and subterranean predation by carabid larvae on slugs using monoclonal antibodies

1. Subterranean carabid larvae are more numerous than surface‐active adults, yet very little is known about their ecological significance, dietary preferences or ability to regulate populations of prey species, particularly pests. Part of the reason for this is that predator–prey interactions beneath the soil are almost impossible to observe. 2. Extensive field studies have shown that adult Pterostichus melanarius (Illiger) can affect the temporal and spatial dynamics of their slug prey. However, if larvae too are feeding on slugs, this could radically affect overall predator–prey dynamics. 3. We tested the hypotheses that P. melanarius larvae would kill and consume two slug species, Deroceras reticulatum Müller and Arion intermedius Normand, under laboratory and semi‐field conditions, and that there would be no significant difference in rates of predation on these slug species. 4. A new monoclonal antibody was developed that was capable of detecting the presence of slug proteins in the guts of P. melanarius larvae. 5. Pterostichus melanarius larvae killed both A. intermedius and D. reticulatum in the laboratory, feeding to a greater extent, and growing more rapidly, on the latter. The larvae were equally effective at reducing numbers of both slug species in a crop of wheat grown in semi‐field mini plots, but predation was affected by density‐dependent intra‐specific competition amongst the beetle larvae. 6. Future modelling of the dynamic interactions between carabids and slugs will need to take into account predation by larvae.     

TRANSPORT OF UNCONTAMINATED AND MOLLUSCICIDE-CONTAINING FOOD IN THE DIGESTIVE TRACT OF THE SLUG DEROCERAS RETICULATUM (MULLER)

By X-ray analysis of food transport in the alimentary tractof Deroceras reticulatum it was shown that even ten hours afteringestion of a thorium sulfate-containing bait, this materialcan be detected in the crop. After 2.5 h, some parts of labelledfood passes down from the anterior to the posterior part ofthe gut. After 13 h, thorium sulfate-containing material canbe observed only in the gut. After 19 h, no more labelled materialis present in the alimentary tract of the animals. After addition of Cloethocarb, the animals feed on only smallamounts of food. The labelled material only enters the anteriorpart of the gut. After ten hours, the food does not move anymore and does not leave the crop even 19 h after feeding. After molluscicide application, the crop epithelium is moreinfolded than in control animals and the cells are elongated.After 30 h, cells protrude into the lumen of the digestive tract. (Received 11 May 1992; accepted 26 June 1992)     

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF LASAEA AUSTRALIS, VULSELLA SPONGIARUM, PINNA BICOLOR AND DONACILLA CUNEATA (MOLLUSCA; BIVALVIA) FROM PRINCESS ROYAL HARBOUR, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Monthly samples of L. australis, V. spongiartum, P. bicolorand D. cuneata were collected over a period of 12 months fromPrincess Royal Harbour, Western Australia. Preliminary informationon densities and biomass is given. Gonad histology points toseasonal reproductive cycles with autumn spawning in P. bicolorand D. cuneata and irregular spawning in V. spongiantm and L.australis. However, L. australis did show two peaks of larvalbrooding in the study period. Length-frequency data are discussedin the light of the proposed reproductive patterns for the fourspecies. Allometric relationships between length and both heightand width for all species are described and their value to eachspecies assessed. Populations of L. australis from differenthabitats show significant differences in shell shape. (Received 27 June 1983;     

Cold hardiness,adaptive strategies,and invasion of slugs of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Deroceras</Emphasis> (Gastropoda,Pulmonata) in northeastern Asia

Abstract-Four species of slugs have been identified in the vicinity of Magadan: Deroceras laeve, D. altaicum, D. reticulatum, and D. agreste. They exemplify three different life cycle schemes, with D. reticulatum and D. altaicum wintering at the egg phase; D. laeve, at the slug phase; and D. agreste, at either phase. The D. altaicum and D. reticulatum slugs and D. laeve eggs are intolerant of subzero temperatures. D. laeve’s tolerate freezing and survive at temperatures below −28°C. The eggs of other species, which lose up to 35% of water upon cooling, can withstand temperatures as low as −15 to −17°C (D. altaicum), −25°C (D. agreste), and −35°C (D. reticulatum). According to preliminary data, D. agreste slugs survive at temperatures down to −10°C. The almost ubiquitous distribution of D. laeve in regions with cool summers (including zonal tundras) is accounted for not so much by the high rate of ontogeny as by its significant cold hardiness and ability to winter at different phases of the life cycle (except for the egg phase), which allows the period of development to be prolonged for the next seasons. The last is confirmed by the fact that the slugs collected before and after hibernation proved to have identical patterns of distribution by body weight. Three species of slugs introduced in the vicinity of Magadan fail to spread inland. In the case of D. reticulatum, this is explained primarily by the fact that the frost-free season in inland areas is too short to allow these slugs to complete ontogeny and lay eggs. The barriers to their expansion appear to be insuperable, since this process remains unsuccessful over no less than 75–80 years.     

林氏果蝇线粒体DNA分析

本文对Tamura(1988)提纯mtDNA的方法进行改进,建立了林氏果蝇Drosophila lini 线粒体DNA大量制备的方法;对采自原产地台湾省的单雌晶系TAW3146.1的线粒体DNA用10种限制性内切酶进行了酶切,得出了林氏果蝇mtDNA的分子量大小为16.3kb;用双酶切法制作了林氏果蝇线粒体DNA酶切图谱,并与属于同一复合种组的D.Kikkawai的酶切图谱进行比较。所用的内切酶有XbaI、AvaI、EcoRV、ScaI、SacI、EcoR I、HindIII、PvuⅡ、BamHI、PstⅡ。     

COMPARATIVE SPERMATOLOGY OF THREE SPECIES OF DONAX (BIVALVIA) FROM SOUTH AFRICA

The fine structure of the sperm and spermatogenesis in threespecies of Donax (D. madagascariensis, D. sordidus and D. serra)are described. Although the morphology of the sperm of all speciesis very similar, each has unique features. Donax madagascariensisand D. sordidus reportedly hybridize in regions of sympatryand their spermatozoa are morphologically closer to one anotherthan to D. serra. All sperm are of the primitive type with ahead(about 2 µmu; long), mid-piece of four mitochondria andtail. The head comprises a barrel-shaped nucleus which is cappedby a small, complex acrosome. The structure of the acrosomeis typical of heterodont bivalves. During spermatogenesis thepattern of nuclear chromatin condensation is granular. Glycogenfirst appears in the cytoplasm of spermatids, and in the maturesperm is sited in the mid-piece and base of the acrosome. (Received 15 May 1989; accepted 25 June 1989)     

BROODING AND NON-BROODING DACRYDIUM (BIVALVIA: MYTILIDAE): A REVIEW OF THE ATLANTIC SPECIES

The Atlantic species of the marine bivalve genus Dacrydium arereviewed, with particular emphasis on their hinge and protoconchcharacters. The basic groundplan of a Dacrydium comprises afunctional primary ligament, a paired series of primary teeth,and a posterior row of secondary teeth separated from the latterby a secondary ligament; this can be transformed into a singleseries either by loss of the secondary ligament and mergingprimary and secondary teeth, or by loss of secondary teeth andligament through paedomorphosis. Twelve species are recognized, of which eleven are illustrated.One abyssal species is not separable morphologically from theIndian Ocean D. speculum Poutiers, 1989 and is new to the Atlantic;four new species (D. wareni, D. dauvini, D. filiferum and D.balgimi) are described; a Caribbean form which is hardly distinctfrom the Eastern Pacific D. elegantu-lum Soot-Ryen, 1955, isdescribed as a new subspecies D. e. hendersoni. The larvae are brooded in D. hyalinum (Mon-terosato, 1875),D. viviparum Ockelmann, 1983 and D. balgimi. The brooding specieshave larger larvae (protoconch 210 to 315 µm long) thanthe non-brooding (protoconch 120 to 150 µm long), andreach a smaller adult size (1.4 to 3 mm instead of 4.5–5mm). A phylogenetic reconstruction is attempted using parsimonyanalysis of hinge and shell characters as well as the brooding/nonbrooding character. (Received 22 October 1996; accepted 28 November 1996)     

横断山地区果蝇三新种(双翅目：果蝇科)

横断山地区果蝇三新种（双翅目：果蝇科）张文霞,梁醒财（北京大学生命科学学院北京１００８７１）（中国科学院昆明动物研究所昆明６５０２２３）’果蝇属果蝇亚属Ｄｒｏｓｏｐｈｉｌａ（Ｄｒｏｓｏｐｈｉｌａ）的ｍｅｌａｎｄｅｒｉ种组由Ｗｈｅｅｌｅｒ１９４９年建立...     

OBSERVATIONS ON THE ECOLOGY OF BULINUS (PHYSOPSIS) GLOBOSUS (MORELET), B. (BULINUS) FORSKALII (EHRENBERG) AND LYMNAEA NATALENSIS (KRAUSS) IN RICE SWAMPS IN SIERRA LEONE.

Changes in population of Bulinus globosus, B. forskalii andLymnaea natalensis were studied in four different locationsnamed Sites A, B, C. and D in Bo town Sierra Leone. The snailpopulations and oxygen concentrations of water increased inthe rainy season. The biological oxygen demand did not havesignificant correlation with changes in snail populations inSites B and D. B. globosus was absent from Site A while B. forskaliiwas the predominant snail in Site C. Site D with the highestmean monthly conductivity of 176 µmhos contained 54% whileSite A with a similar reading of 90µmhos contained 1%of all snails found. (Received 22 May 1980;     

自桑兰叶甲分离出的一种微孢子虫(Mic-Ⅰ)的研究

从广州郊区罗岗的桑园及菜地捕捉到的桑兰叶甲Mimastra cyanura Hope成虫体中分离到一种卵圆形的微孢子虫（简称Mic-Ⅰ）。孢子大小为(3.35±0.46)×(1.96±0.17) μm;孢子具单核、双核两种类型;极丝10～11圈;孢子表面抗原的血清学类型与家蚕微粒子虫Nosema bombycis孢子不同;在家蚕Bombyx mori体内以两种不同的生活史发育,发育过程符合变态孢虫属Vairimorpha微孢子虫发育特征。Mic-Ⅰ微孢子虫对家蚕具强病原性,对斜纹夜蛾Prodenia litura和小菜蛾Plutella xylostella也有感染能力。