Veronicella cubensis
| Veronicella cubensis | |
|---|---|
| |
| A live individual of Veronicella cubensis | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Order: | Systellommatophora |
| Family: | Veronicellidae |
| Genus: | Veronicella |
| Species: | V. cubensis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Veronicella cubensis (L. Pfeiffer, 1840)
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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Veronicella cubensis, common name the Cuban slug, is a species of air-breathing land slug, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Veronicellidae, the leatherleaf slugs.
Description
[edit]The slug varies widely in color, from almost white or albino, olive tan, to dark brown. Usually, a pale line runs down the center of its back. Dark spots may be apparent on the back or will form two bands running along its sides.[2] However, identifying this slug is best done with a combination of dissection and molecular systematics.[3]
Distribution
[edit]The slug is native to Cuba but has been spread outside of its range, where it can be considered and invasive pest.
It's introduced range includes the Caribbean, parts of Micronesia, America Samoa, and the US, particularly Hawaii. Incidents of the slug occur in California, Louisiana, and Florida as well.[2]
V. cubensis is established in the USA and considered to represent a potentially serious threat as a pest, an invasive species which may negatively affect agriculture, natural ecosystems, human health and commerce. It has been suggested that this species be given top national quarantine significance in the USA.[4]
It was found in Basra, Iraq for the first time on 2024/5/3.
Ecology and Behavior
[edit]Although self-fertilization is possible in slugs, it has not been observed in V. cubensis.[5] Sperm can be stored for a relatively long time in this species, about 3 months. The slug will lay about 4 egg masses in a year, but as many as 1 egg mass a month. Egg laying begins after the slug reaches 200 days old.[5]
References
[edit]
- ^ Maceira D. F. (2003). "Las especies de la familia Veronicellidae (Mollusca, Soleolifera) en Cuba". Revista de Biología Tropical 51(3): 453-461. PDF.
- ^ a b Mc Donnell, Rory; Paine, Timothy; Gormally, Michael (2009). Slugs A Guide ot the Invasive and Native Fauna of California. UCANR.
- ^ Kim, Jaynee; Hayes, Kenneth; Yeung, Norine; Cowie, Robert (2016). "Identity and distribution of introduced slugs (Veronicellidae) in the Hawaiian and Samoan islands". Pacific Science. 70 (4): 477–493 – via BioOne.
- ^ Cowie R. H., Dillon R. T., Robinson D. G. & Smith J. W. (2009). "Alien non-marine snails and slugs of priority quarantine importance in the United States: A preliminary risk assessment". American Malacological Bulletin 27: 113-132. PDF Archived 2016-06-16 at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ a b Sommer, Rachel; Cowie, Robert (2020). "Invasive traits of veronicellid slugs in the Hawaiian Islands and the temperature response suggesting possible range shifts under a changing climate". Journal of Molluscan Studies. 86: 147–155.
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