Helminths associated with terrestrial slugs in Swedish agricultural fields

Abstract

Slugs are important agricultural pests causing yearly yield losses. However, parasitizing helminths potentially could affect the size of the slug population. Here, a survey of terrestrial slug-parasitic helminths (nematodes and trematodes) was conducted for the first time in Sweden. In total, 268 terrestrial slugs were collected from 27 agricultural field edges in three seasons over 2020 and 2021 and dissected for presence of helminth parasites. Slugs belonging to the genus Arion were molecularly identified by mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) while parasites were identified using ribosomal RNA (18S). Overall, 13% of the collected slugs had helminth parasites and the likelihood of a slug being parasitized was highest in autumn. Slugs identified as Arion vulgaris were more likely to be parasitized than native slug species. The prevalence of nematodes and trematodes were similar; the dominant species found were Alloionema appendiculatum and Brachylaima thompsoni, respectively. This is the first record of the presence of these two species in Sweden.

Keywords

Arion; Deroceras; endoparasites; Limax; nematodes; parasite load; trematodes

Published in

Journal of Helminthology
2023, volume: 97, article number: PII S0022149X23000093
Publisher: CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS

SLU Authors

• Viketoft, Maria

  • Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Zygouridis, Nikolas

  • Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Emery, Sara

  • Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Agricultural Science
Zoology

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022149X23000093

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/121540