No abstract

Herein, we first report the comprehensive description of the terrestrial slug, Sarasinula plebeia (Gastropoda: Veronicellidae) by employing morphology, morpho-taxometrics and molecular analysis. A rapid survey on terrestrial slug invasive alien species (IAS) was conducted in La Dicha, Malangas, Zamboanga Sibugay, the Philippines. Obtained COI gene sequences shared 100% similarities to S. plebeia from Brazil (JX532107, KM489378), Dominica (KM489500) and Vietnam (KM489367) and further supported using Bayesian analysis thus designated as S. plebeia isolate LDZS. Notably, the first reported S. plebeia in 2013 from Batan island, Batanes, northern Philippines, characterized through COI gene markers (JQ582277, JQ582278, JQ582279) showed 100% sequence similarities to a closely related veronicellid slug, Laevecaulis alte isolates (LC636101, LC636102, LC636103, and LC636104) from Japan. Taken this into account, our S. plebeia LDZS isolated from an agricultural field is the first report in the Philippines with combined diagnostic tools for the taxon.

Gastropod-associated nematodes have been previously studied and documented worldwide, with some species forming host-specific association as obligate parasites of molluscs while others form intermediate and temporary association. Philippinella moellendorffi from Imelda, Zamboanga Sibugay, Philippines, were collected, washed and maintained in the laboratory until death. Cadavers were placed on nutrient agar to allow nematode proliferation. Nematode pure culture was obtained using one gravid female for propagation. Morphology and molecular analyses (18S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and D2–D3 expansion segments of 28S rDNA) were employed as diagnostic tools in identifying the nematode species isolated from P. moellendorffi. The newly isolated nematode was identified as Caenorhabditis brenneri, thus designated as C. brenneri strain IZSP from the Philippines. This is the first record of C. brenneri isolated from the terrestrial slug P. moellendorffi.