Arion subfuscus: Rowson, B.

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1957 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 609-613
Author(s):  
D. Pelluet

The amount of ascorbic acid in the slug Arion subfuscus has been estimated quantitatively at laboratory temperatures and at 0°–2 °C. The results show that the effect of the exposure to the low temperature reduces the amount-present in the ovotestis significantly. In general, the amount of ascorbic acid in the cold treated animals does not exceed that of the controls. This result does not agree with the cytological appearance of the ovotestis exposed to the same conditions, in which the cold treated animals show an increased number of granules of ascorbic acid after an initial decrease.


Weed Science ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 534-539 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Cardina ◽  
Heather M. Norquay ◽  
Benjamin R. Stinner ◽  
David A. McCartney

Studies were conducted from 1989 to 1993 in continuous no-tillage and moldboard plow corn fields to describe rates of velvetleaf seed predation with time and with seed density, and to identify principal seed predators. Rates of seed loss from the soil surface averaged 1 to 57% day−1and were equivalent in the two tillage systems. Predator populations were the same in no-tillage and moldboard plow fields. The predation rate was generally low in winter months, increased in mid-summer, and declined in late summer. In 2 of the 4 yr, predation increased in October and November. The predation rate was described by an exponential decay function of seed density, with high rates of seed loss at low densities and leveling off to a nearly constant level at densities above 600 seeds m−2. Predation was highest where seed access was not restricted, and exclosures of 6.5 and 1.6 cm2reduced predation up to 15 and 52%, respectively. Mice were important predators in the field. In laboratory feeding studies, the carabid beetleAmara cupreolata, the slugsArion subfuscusandDeroceras reticulatum, and cutworms (Agrotis ipsilon) consumed imbibed velvetleaf seeds.Amara cupreolataand A.subfuscuswere the only predators to damage unimbibed velvetleaf seeds.


2019 ◽  
Vol 374 (1784) ◽  
pp. 20190201 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.-M. Fung ◽  
C. Gallego Lazo ◽  
A. M. Smith

The slug Arion subfuscus produces a mucus-based defensive secretion that is remarkably tough. This glue appears to be a double network hydrogel, gaining its toughness through the synergistic actions of two networks of polymers, a relatively stiff network and a relatively deformable network. The double network mechanism has great potential to guide the development of synthetic adhesives. Mechanical tests were performed to analyse key predictions of the mechanism. Stress relaxation tests and tensile tests support the presence of stable cross-links. Cyclic stress–strain tests demonstrate that the glue dissipates a great deal of energy through the failure of these cross-links as sacrificial bonds. Energy dissipation by failure of sacrificial bonds rather than viscous processes is supported by the minimal effect of the time course of the experiments on the measured properties. These sacrificial bonds appear able to reform within minutes after failure. Finally, the glue's stiffness decreases at pH values below 5.5, whereas magnesium and calcium rapidly dissociate from the glue at all pH values tested. Thus, these ions may not be the primary cross-linkers generating the glue's stiffness. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Transdisciplinary approaches to the study of adhesion and adhesives in biological systems’.


1999 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 467-478 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald B. Hammond ◽  
Terry Beck ◽  
Judith A. Smith ◽  
Roger Amos ◽  
John Barker ◽  
...  

Slug problems have increased in frequency as conservation tillage has become a more widely adapted practice for production of corn, Zea mays (L.), and soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merrill, in the Midwest. Because of the increasing concern about slug damage to these crops, we initiated studies to aid growers in management of this serious pest. Slug populations were sampled in conservation-tillage fields in seven counties in Ohio from 1994–1996 to determine the species that were present in field crops and to gain insights into their life histories and damage potential. Four slug species were collected in numbers sufficient to be considered of potential economic importance. The predominant species in population size and geographic range were Deroceras reticulatum (Müller), followed closely by D. leave (Müller). Both species were common in most fields. The third most numerous slug species was Arion subfuscus (Drapamaud). Although this species was found in fewer fields, it was often collected in very large numbers. The fourth slug. A. fasciatus (Nilsson), was found only in two counties. We observed juvenile D. reticulatum causing the most damage by their feeding in late-May and in June. Damage caused by the other species was not as evident, with the possible exception of A. subfuscus causing stand loss in soybeans.


2018 ◽  
Vol 96 (4) ◽  
pp. 325-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Érik L’Heureux ◽  
Bernard Angers

Accurate identification of species and their geographic origins is crucial to assess the impacts of exotic species. This is particularly relevant when multiple introductions are suspected. Species complexes are therefore problematic, as different species can be treated as a single taxon. The highly diversified European complex Arion subfuscus (Draparnaud, 1805) s.l. is abundant throughout northeastern North America. However, surveys performed in the United States have reported a low mitochondrial diversity associated with a single species. To assess whether regions characterized by different human activities harbor different diversities, the taxonomic identities, distributions, and origins of the species of this complex in Quebec (Canada) were determined. The mitochondrial 16S rDNA gene was analyzed in 526 specimens from 69 locations. Both Arion fuscus (O.F. Müller, 1774) and Arion subfuscus (Draparnaud, 1805) s. str. (lineages S1 and S2) were detected. Arion fuscus was the most abundant species, contrasting with previous studies conducted in North America. An explosive range expansion occurred during the last 50 years. Moreover, the presence of different haplotypes confirmed multiple introductions of these species. These results emphasize the importance of not considering an exotic species complex as a single taxon, especially in regions with different human activities.


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