Veronicellidae
Veronicellid phylogeny
17-08-2010 11:39
Veronicellidae are
large, tropical slugs, which are widespread in the
Neotropics. In South America 16 genera are known to
occur, and many species are recorded as agricultural
pests or intermediate hosts for nematodes, causing
public health risks.
In the southern part of the continent, six species of the genus Phyllocaulis occur. Recently, a phylogenetic study explored the relationships between these species (Gomes et al, 2010).
Most of the species have a sympatric occurrence in part of their distributional range.
The results showed that the different species of Phyllocaulis are in mutually exclusive and well-supported clades. Interestingly, a study of the divergent times showed that the vicariant species P. gayi (Chile) and P. soleiformis (Argentina) had their common ancestor during Pleistocene times (~ 0.6 Ma). Since this timing is after the final upheaval of the Andes, the distribution is explained by cross-Andean dispersal and subsequent speciation.
Reference:
Gomes, S.R., Britto da Silva, F., Mendes, I.L., Thomé, J.W., Bonatto, S.L., 2010. Molecular phylogeny of the South American land slug Phyllocaulis (Mollusca, Soleolifera, Veronicellidae). - Zoologica Scripta 39: 177-186.
In the southern part of the continent, six species of the genus Phyllocaulis occur. Recently, a phylogenetic study explored the relationships between these species (Gomes et al, 2010).
Most of the species have a sympatric occurrence in part of their distributional range.
The results showed that the different species of Phyllocaulis are in mutually exclusive and well-supported clades. Interestingly, a study of the divergent times showed that the vicariant species P. gayi (Chile) and P. soleiformis (Argentina) had their common ancestor during Pleistocene times (~ 0.6 Ma). Since this timing is after the final upheaval of the Andes, the distribution is explained by cross-Andean dispersal and subsequent speciation.
Reference:
Gomes, S.R., Britto da Silva, F., Mendes, I.L., Thomé, J.W., Bonatto, S.L., 2010. Molecular phylogeny of the South American land slug Phyllocaulis (Mollusca, Soleolifera, Veronicellidae). - Zoologica Scripta 39: 177-186.
Peruvian slugs
29-04-2009 19:41
Some weeks ago, Valentín Mogollón sent me some
pictures of slugs that he spotted during a recent
trip to Huancavelica. One clearly was a
Deroceras
species. My colleague Ton de Winter, who is an expert
in slugs, kindly provided his opinion when shown this
photograph:
“Looks like a typical specimen of D. reticulatum (Müller, 1774), but to be sure it is better to look at the anatomy”. Since the specimen was not at hand, I’ll have to be happy with this identification.
At the same trip this specimen was encountered. Doubtless it is a veronicellid, but very hard to be more conclusive than that. Species of this family only can be identified after dissection and some even after additional DNA studies.
There are seven species from different genera known from Peru. I have to confess that I’m not familiar with any of them. So we’ll have to keep this as a Veronicellidae from Huancayo, unless someone steps up with a better idea.
“Looks like a typical specimen of D. reticulatum (Müller, 1774), but to be sure it is better to look at the anatomy”. Since the specimen was not at hand, I’ll have to be happy with this identification.
At the same trip this specimen was encountered. Doubtless it is a veronicellid, but very hard to be more conclusive than that. Species of this family only can be identified after dissection and some even after additional DNA studies.
There are seven species from different genera known from Peru. I have to confess that I’m not familiar with any of them. So we’ll have to keep this as a Veronicellidae from Huancayo, unless someone steps up with a better idea.