A Newly Introduced and Invasive Land Slug in Brazil: Meghimatium pictum (Gastropoda, Philomycidae) from China

The land slug Meghimatium pictum (Stoliczka, 1873), native to China, is recorded for the first time in Brazil. This is also the first record of a species of the eastern Asiatic genus Meghimatium on the American continents. The species was identified using morphological criteria and analysis of the c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 2011-10, Vol.161 (1), p.87-95
Main Authors: Gomes, Suzete R, Picanço, Juliane B, Colley, Eduardo, Agudo-Padrón, Aisur Ignacio, Nakano, Eliana, Thomé, José W
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological taxonomies
exotic
Gastropoda
herbivore
Introduced species
Invasive species
Malacology
mollusk
Mollusks
Pallifera
Philomycidae
Reproductive system
Slugs
Snails
Teeth
Zoology
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Summary:The land slug Meghimatium pictum (Stoliczka, 1873), native to China, is recorded for the first time in Brazil. This is also the first record of a species of the eastern Asiatic genus Meghimatium on the American continents. The species was identified using morphological criteria and analysis of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I, COI. Our records indicate this species is widely distributed in southern and southeastern Brazil, in the States of São Paulo, Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, in disturbed and natural areas. We morphologically characterize M. pictum (external characteristics, reproductive system, jaw and radula) and provide some biological information based on field observations. We also discuss when M. pictum was probably introduced, from whence it came, possible pathways of introduction, and its characteristics as an invasive species and potential agricultural pest.
ISSN:0097-3157
1938-5293
DOI:10.1635/053.161.0106