Preliminary data on infestation of invasive slugs (Arion lusitanicus) with parasites

Slugs (Arion lusitanicus) began to spread in various Europe countries from 1950. First occurrence of this slug in Lithuania was observed in 2012 and after four years, in 2016, A. lusitanicus already were found in main cities and regions of Lithuania. Populations of these slugs can reach high density depend on high reproduction potential and for this reason they can make a lot of damage for gardens cultures. Slugs can spread disease of plants by eating healthy or rotting plants and are important as vectors or intermediate host of various parasites pathogenic for human and animals. The aim of this study was to investigate infestation of A. lusitanicus by parasites. During the study was collected 40 individuals of slugs, which were dissected in search parasites. Mainly nematodes were found in foot muscle, gastrointestinal tract, mantle cavity and in mucus. Based on the identifications features (structure of mouth and esophagus, vulva region, spicules around genital opening (Lieven 2003)) Rhabditidae family nematodes were dominated. Obtained data confirmed infection of invasive slugs by nematodesBiologijos katedraGamtos mokslų fakultetasVytauto Didžiojo universiteta