A new method for marking slugs by ultraviolet-fluorescent dye
Authored by Pavel Foltan, Martin Konvicka
Date Published: 2008
DOI: 10.1093/mollus/eyn012
Sponsors:
Czech Ministry of Education
Platforms:
No platforms listed
Model Documentation:
Other Narrative
Mathematical description
Model Code URLs:
Model code not found
Abstract
We introduce a new, cheap, fast and reliable method for marking slugs, using biologically inert UV-fluorescent dye. The dye remained visible
for more than 3 months in all individuals marked. Use of the dye did not
affect survival, spatial behaviour or daily activity of the slugs, nor
the prey choice of the predatory beetle Pterostichus melanarius, under
controlled semi-natural conditions. The new method will enable further
investigations of absolute slug densities, diurnal activity, mobility
and dispersal, using capture-recapture techniques. The resulting data
would allow the construction of more exact forecasting models for the
population dynamics of pest slugs, potentially leading to a reduction in
the use of control agents, particularly chemical molluscicides.
Tags
Individual-based model
Spatial dynamics
Population-dynamics
Marked animals
Laboratory conditions
Arion-lusitanicus mabille
Deroceras-reticulatum
Survival estimation
Pest
Pulmonata