Massive occurrence and identification of the nematode Alloionema appendiculatum Schneider (Rhabditida: Alloionematidae) found in Arionidae slugs in Slovenia

Abstract

In the period from June to October 2008 we collected 500 slugs from the genus Arion in the area of Ljubljana and Prekmurje (Slovenia). By means of dissection we determined the presence of parasitic nematodes in slug cadavers. Identification of the nematodes was made by a molecular technique (PCR). In these slugs we did not find the parasitic nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita, however the presence of Alloionema appendiculatum in larger quantities was confirmed. The most infected was a Spanish slug, Arion lusitanicus. In Petri dishes younger slugs showed a satisfactory mortality rate already on the fourth day after the application of the nematode suspension. Unfortunately, we can not confirm with certainly that the nematode A. appendiculatum undergoes a complete life cycle in A. lusitanicus, which is otherwise typical for Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita.