Species identification of introduced veronicellid slugs in Japan

• DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13197
• Publication Date: 2022-04-22T08:32:49Z
• Authors: Takahiro Hirano; Osamu Kagawa; Masanori Fujimoto; Takumi Saito; Shota Uchida; Daishi Yamazaki; Shun Ito; Shovon Mohammad S...; Takuo Sawahata; Satoshi Chiba
• Keywords: DNA Barcoding; Species complex

Reliable identification of species is important for protecting native ecosystems against the invasion non-native species. DNA barcoding using molecular markers, such as mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene, helps researchers distinguish In this study, we focused on introduced veronicellid slugs in Ryukyu Islands and some greenhouses mainland Japan. Some veronicellids are medium-to-high risk pest humans. Identifying by their external morphology difficult unreliable because there substantial overlap between intraspecific variation interspecific differentiation. Therefore, internal morphologies male genitalia have been primary traits used to veronicellids. To identify Japan level, morphological assessment standard COI gene fragment. We also conducted species-delimitation analyses based genetic data. The results showed that five evolutionarily significant units, corresponding four nominal inhabit Islands, which two were found Japan, including first record Sarasinula plebeia presence slug could increase transmission parasites