Biology
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Virtually nothing is known of this slug's biology and behaviour in the wild. Like other slugs of the Veronicellidae family, this species is presumed to be herbivorous (3).
Conservation
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Although there are currently no conservation measures directly targeting the caterpillar slug, individuals have been observed in Hluhluwe Game Reserve, where its habitat may receive some protection. Furthermore, its appearance in suburban gardens in the Pietermaritzburg area suggests that this slug may be adaptable to a certain degree of habitat modification, flexibility that would undoubtedly help its prospects of survival (2).
Description
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This distinctive-looking species earns its common name for its unusual resemblance to a caterpillar, largely due to its somewhat wrinkled appearance and colour pattern. The long, slender body varies in shade, but usually displays bold alternating bands of dark brown and cream colour, with a paler mid-region and darker ends. The upper tentacles are pale brown, the lower ones greyish, and the sole (underside) of the foot is a slightly translucent cream colour (2)
Habitat
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From the limited data available, the caterpillar slug appears to be associated with marshes and waterside vegetation, although it may not be exclusive to such habitat (2).
Range
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Known only from a few isolated localities in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa(2).
Status
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Classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List 2006 (1).
Threats
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The caterpillar slug is threatened by habitat loss and degradation as a result of ongoing urbanisation and development within its range. The original site of collection in a marsh near Durban has since been destroyed to make way for a road. These threats are exacerbated by the slug's already restricted range, which makes it especially vulnerable to the effects of its changing environment (2).
Eleutherocaulis haroldi
provided by wikipedia EN
Eleutherocaulis haroldi, known as Purcell's hunter slug[4] or the caterpillar slug,[1] is a species of tropical land slug in the family Veronicellidae, the leatherleaf slugs.[3] It was first formally named Laevicaulis haroldi in 1980.[2]
Distribution
Eleutherocaulis haroldi is native to South Africa.[1]
Conservation status
In its home range in South Africa, Eleutherocaulis haroldi is endangered; it is threatened by habitat loss.[1]. It has been introduced accidentally in India and is becoming an invasive pest.[5][6][7] The species was first reported feeding and causing damage to Mulberry plants in Maharashtra.[8] It is speculated to have reached India through various airports and international trade.[9]
References
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^ a b c d Herbert, D.G. (2000). Laevicaulis haroldi. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Accessed 25 October 2020.
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^ a b Dundee D. S. (1980). "Laevicaulis haroldi, a new veronicellid slug from Natal, South Africa (Gastropoda: Pulmonata)". The Nautilus 64(3): 118-120.
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^ a b MolluscaBase eds. (2020). MolluscaBase. Eleutherocaulis haroldi (Dundee, 1980). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=1457306 on 2020-10-25
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^ Nematology in South Africa : a view from the 21st century. Cham. ISBN 9783319442105.
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^ Chemmencheri, Ramakrishnan Sreeraj. "Invasion of the exotic slug, Laevicaulis haroldi Dundee, 1980 in Sunderban Biosphere Reserve,India" (PDF). BioInvasions Records. 10 (1): 21–27.
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^ "Meet the caterpillar slug, a potential future invader to India". The Indian Express. 2021-07-16. Retrieved 2021-08-31.
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^ Mahapatra, Biswa Bhusana; N.A, Aravind. "Laevicaulis haroldi (Veronicellidae: Gastropoda), a potential future invader to India" (PDF). Current Science. 120 (11): 1781–1785.
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^ Avhad, Sunil.B; Shinde, K.S; Jalba, Hiware Chandrashekhar. "Record of molluscan pests in mulberry gardens in aurangabad district of Maharashtra State, India" (PDF). Indian Journal of Sericulture. 52 (1): 29–33.
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^ "(PDF) Laevicaulis haroldi (Mollusca, Veronicellidae): a 40-year journey from Natal (South Africa) to Kolkata (India)". ResearchGate. Retrieved 2021-08-31.
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Eleutherocaulis haroldi: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
Eleutherocaulis haroldi, known as Purcell's hunter slug or the caterpillar slug, is a species of tropical land slug in the family Veronicellidae, the leatherleaf slugs. It was first formally named Laevicaulis haroldi in 1980.
- license
- cc-by-sa-3.0
- copyright
- Wikipedia authors and editors
