Study on factors that changes species composition in slugs

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K06852
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 45040:Ecology and environment-related
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: Udaka Hiroko 京都大学, 理学研究科, 助教 (60534609)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 陸生軟体動物 / ナメクジ / 外来種 / 種間競争

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The most common dominant species of slugs in Japan has been replaced twice in a short period of time by invasive alien species. This is a phenomenon not seen in other organisms. However, the process and causes of this phenomenon have not been studied at all. In this project, I focused on the native slug species commonly seen before the Meiji era and an alien species (Ambigolimax valentianus) that was introduced in the 1950s. I compared their habitats in the field and observed them in captivity. The results suggest that there is a difference in habitat preference between the two species, which may have been a cause of the change in dominance.

Free Research Field

動物生理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

外来種の移入による在来種や生態系への影響はさまざまな生物種で調べられているが、ナ
メクジ類は他の生物種では類を見ないほどのスピードで、目まぐるしく種構成が入れ替わっている。ナメクジ類に注目した本研究により、ナメクジ類ではすくなくとも在来種との種間競争よりも、それぞれのが嗜好する環境を考慮した防除や保護の重要性が明らかとなった。