Arion hortensis

Last updated

Arion hortensis
Arion hortensis 1.ext.jpg
Arion hortensis
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Heterobranchia
Order: Stylommatophora
Family: Arionidae
Genus: Arion
Species:
A. hortensis
Binomial name
Arion hortensis
(A. Férussac, 1819)

Arion hortensis, also known by its common name the "garden slug", "small striped slug" or "black field slug" is a species of small air-breathing land slug, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Arionidae, the roundback slugs.

Contents

In Britain, the name Arion hortensis was previously applied to a species complex, consisting of this species plus Arion distinctus Mabille, 1868 and Arion owneii Davies, 1979. Here the name is used sensu stricto . [1]

Description

It is worth noting that with slugs it is often difficult to establish good criteria for identifying species using external features or internal features, as colouration can be quite variable, and the rather plastic anatomy makes diagnostic anatomical features difficult to establish. See the article on Arion distinctus for characters distinguishing that from this species. The clearest character is the structure at the entrance to the epiphallus. [2]

A 30–40 mm. long (exceptionally up to 50 mm) roundback slug. In colour it is grey to bluish black, with dark lateral bands (the right band usually running entirely above the pneumostome). The tentacles are bluish or reddish, and the slug bluish or orange tip at the tail. The first row of tubercles above the foot-fringe is white. The contracted body is semicircular (not bell-shaped) in transverse section. The sole is orange or yellow. The body mucus is yellow-orange. Juveniles are bluish grey with a darker dorsum and a yellow sole. [3]

Distribution

This species is native to European countries and islands, including Great Britain, Ireland, and other areas. It has also been introduced to various other countries, including Tasmania. [4]

Ecology

This slug lives in gardens, fields, pastures and similar habitat. This slug serves as an intermediary host for Muellerius capillaris . [5]

Related Research Articles

<i>Cepaea nemoralis</i> Species of gastropod

The grove snail, brown-lipped snail or lemon snail is a species of air-breathing land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White-lipped snail</span> Species of gastropod

The white-lipped snail or garden banded snail, scientific name Cepaea hortensis, is a large species of air-breathing land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusc in the family Helicidae. The only other species in the genus is Cepaea nemoralis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red slug</span> Species of gastropod

The red slug, also known as the large red slug, chocolate arion and European red slug, is a species of land slug in the family Arionidae, the roundback slugs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black slug</span> Species of gastropod

The black slug, Arion ater, is a large terrestrial gastropod mollusk in the family Arionidae, the round back slugs. Many land slugs lack external shells, having a vestigial shell. Most slugs retain a remnant of their shell, which is usually internalized, unlike other terrestrial mollusks which have external shells. Without such shells, slugs produce mucus, that may also contain toxins—to deter predators. Terrestrial slugs produce two other forms of mucus that facilitate locomotion and prevent death from drying. Such mollusks are hermaphroditic. Slugs most often function as decomposers but are also often omnivores. Arion ater is one such slug, decomposing organic matter, preying on other organisms, and consuming vegetative matter including agricultural crops. Native to Europe, the black slug is an invasive species in Australia, Canada, and the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spanish slug</span> Species of gastropod

The Spanish slug is an air-breathing land slug, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Arionidae, the roundback slugs. Other vernacular names are Lusitanian slug, Iberian slug, and killer slug.

Arion lusitanicus, also known by its common name Portuguese slug, is a species of air-breathing land slug, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Arionidae.

<i>Arion</i> (gastropod) Genus of gastropods

Arion is a genus of air-breathing land slugs in the family Arionidae, the roundback slugs. Most species of this Palearctic genus are native to the Iberian Peninsula.

<i>Tandonia budapestensis</i> Species of gastropod

Tandonia budapestensis is a species of air-breathing, keeled, land slug, a shell-less terrestrial gastropod mollusks in the family Milacidae.

<i>Arion fuscus</i> Species of gastropod

Arion fuscus, also known as the "dusky arion", is a species of small air-breathing land slug, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Arionidae, the roundback slugs.

<i>Arion distinctus</i> Species of gastropod

Arion distinctus is a species of air-breathing land slug in the family Arionidae, sometimes known as the roundback slugs. It is a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusc. Several vernacular names exist, but it is unclear if they are much in use: brown soil slug, common garden slug, darkface arion, Mabille's orange-soled slug, April slug.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arionidae</span> Family of gastropods

Arionidae, common name the "roundback slugs" or "round back slugs" are a taxonomic family of air-breathing land slugs, terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusks in the superfamily Arionoidea.

<i>Tandonia rustica</i> Species of gastropod

Tandonia rustica is a species of air-breathing, keeled, land slug, a shell-less terrestrial gastropod mollusc in the family Milacidae.

<i>Aegopinella nitidula</i> Species of gastropod

Aegopinella nitidula is a species of small land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Gastrodontidae, the glass snails.

<i>Succinella oblonga</i> Species of gastropod

Succinella oblonga is a species of air-breathing land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusc in the family Succineidae.

<i>Arion circumscriptus</i> Species of gastropod

Arion circumscriptus, common name brown-banded arion, is a species of air-breathing land slug, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Arionidae. It is commonest in woodland, occurring across most of Europe, except for more southern regions, and is also widespread in North America. It has been argued that A. circumscriptus is best considered a colour morph of Arion fasciatus.

<i>Arion intermedius</i> Species of gastropod

Arion intermedius is a species of land slug in the family Arionidae, the roundback slugs. It is known commonly as the hedgehog slug, hedgehog arion, or glade slug.

<i>Arion silvaticus</i> Species of gastropod

Arion silvaticus is a species of air-breathing land slug, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Arionidae.

<i>Arion flagellus</i> Species of gastropod

Arion flagellus, also known by its common name the Durham slug, is a species of air-breathing land slug, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusc in the family Arionidae, the roundback slugs.

Arion owenii is a species of small air-breathing land slug, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusc in the family Arionidae, the roundback slugs.

<i>Arion occultus</i> Species of gastropod

Arion occultus is a species of small air-breathing land slug, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Arionidae, the roundback slugs.

References

  1. Michael Kerney. 1999. Atlas of the land and freshwater Molluscs of Britain and Ireland. Harley Books, Colchester Essex. ISBN   0-946589-48-8.
  2. Backeljau, T.; Van Beeck, M. (1986). "Epiphallus anatomy in the Arion hortensis species aggregate (Mollusca, Pulmonata)". Zoologica Scripta. 15: 61–68. doi:10.1111/j.1463-6409.1986.tb00209.x. S2CID   84574780.
  3. Animalbase (Welter-Schultes)
  4. Arion hortensis Férussac, cited 20 December 2008.
  5. Grewal, P. S.; Grewal, S. K.; Tan, L.; Adams, B. J. (June 2003). "Parasitism of Molluscs by Nematodes: Types of Associations and Evolutionary Trends". Journal of Nematology. 35 (2): 146–156. ISSN   0022-300X. PMC   2620629 . PMID   19265989.