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Issue: Vol. 4312 No. 1: 28 Aug. 2017
Type: Correspondence
Published: 2017-08-28
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4312.1.12
Page range: 194–200
Abstract views: 86
PDF downloaded: 3

Nematodes associated with terrestrial slugs from canola fields and ornamental nurseries in South Africa

Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Faculty of Agrisciences, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa
Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Faculty of Agrisciences, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa
Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, AB24 3UU, UK
Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag XI, Matieland 7602, South Africa
Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Faculty of Agrisciences, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, AB24 3UU, UK
Nematoda Agfa Angiostoma Molluscs Nematodes Parasites Phasmarhabditis

Abstract

A survey of nematodes that use terrestrial slugs as definitive hosts, was conducted in canola fields and ornamental nurseries located in the Western Cape province of South Africa. A total of 3290 slugs were collected from 22 different sites. On the identification of the slugs, they were vivisected and examined for internal nematodes. After identifying the nematodes found, on the basis of their morphological characteristics, their identity was confirmed using molecular sequence data for the internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1, 5.8S, ITS-2), D2-D3 expansion segments of the large subunit (LSU or 28S) and small subunit (SSU or 18S) ribosomal DNA. Of the 22 sites investigated, 13 had nematodes present, with 8 % of the slugs being found to be infected with nematodes. Seven nematode species were confirmed, including Agfa flexilis, Angiostoma margaretae, Angiostoma sp. (SA1), Caenorhabditis elegans, mermithid sp. (SA1), Phasmarhabditis sp. (SA3) and Phasmarhabditis sp. (SA4). In addition, several Angiostoma spp. were also isolated, but could only be identified to genus level due to limited material. Of the seven confirmed species, four were previously undescribed. This is the first record of A. margaretae associating with Deroceras panormitanum, Deroceras reticulatum, Lehmannia valentiana and Oopelta polypunctata. Also, this is the first time that a mermithid has been found associating with molluscs in South Africa.

 

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