Influence of slug defence mechanisms on the prey preferences of the carabid predator Pterostichus melanarius (Coleoptera: Carabidae)
Two-choice experiments on prey preferences of a generalist predator Pterostichus melanarius, and five species of slug prey, were conducted in the laboratory. Different preferences of P. melanarius for each of the slug species are described. They are interpreted as the outcome of differing slug speci...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Science
2004-09-01
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| Series: | European Journal of Entomology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.eje.cz/artkey/eje-200403-0002_Influence_of_slug_defence_mechanisms_on_the_prey_preferences_of_the_carabid_predator_Pterostichus_melanarius_C.php |
| _version_ | 1818846899120111616 |
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| author | Pavel FOLTAN |
| author_facet | Pavel FOLTAN |
| author_sort | Pavel FOLTAN |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Two-choice experiments on prey preferences of a generalist predator Pterostichus melanarius, and five species of slug prey, were conducted in the laboratory. Different preferences of P. melanarius for each of the slug species are described. They are interpreted as the outcome of differing slug species-specific defence mechanisms. The influence of hunger level, temperature, day/light period, condition of slugs and beetles, weight of slugs and beetles, and the sex of beetles were controlled experimentally or statistically. The order of slug species preference for predation by P. melanarius was: Deroceras reticulatum (Agriolimacidae), Malacolimax tenellus, Lehmania marginata (Limacidae), Arion distinctus and A. subfuscus (Arionidae). Efficiency of slugs' species-specific defence mechanisms reflected their phylogeny. Defence mechanisms of slugs from the superfamily Arionoidea were significantly more effective at deterring an attack of non-specialised ground beetles than the defence mechanisms of slugs from Limacoidea superfamily. P. melanarius significantly preferred Agriolimacidae to Limacidae, and Limacidae to Arionidae. Slug species was the strongest factor influencing prey preferences of P. melanarius amongst slug prey. Surprisingly, this preference was much more significant than the slug weight. Weight and sex of P. melanarius had no impact on its prey preference. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-19T05:52:53Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-eaeb4418009548899168b094b5c6ec32 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1210-5759 1802-8829 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-19T05:52:53Z |
| publishDate | 2004-09-01 |
| publisher | Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Science |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Journal of Entomology |
| spelling | doaj.art-eaeb4418009548899168b094b5c6ec322022-12-21T20:33:32ZengInstitute of Entomology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of ScienceEuropean Journal of Entomology1210-57591802-88292004-09-01101335936410.14411/eje.2004.050eje-200403-0002Influence of slug defence mechanisms on the prey preferences of the carabid predator Pterostichus melanarius (Coleoptera: Carabidae)Pavel FOLTAN0Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, CZ-37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic;Two-choice experiments on prey preferences of a generalist predator Pterostichus melanarius, and five species of slug prey, were conducted in the laboratory. Different preferences of P. melanarius for each of the slug species are described. They are interpreted as the outcome of differing slug species-specific defence mechanisms. The influence of hunger level, temperature, day/light period, condition of slugs and beetles, weight of slugs and beetles, and the sex of beetles were controlled experimentally or statistically. The order of slug species preference for predation by P. melanarius was: Deroceras reticulatum (Agriolimacidae), Malacolimax tenellus, Lehmania marginata (Limacidae), Arion distinctus and A. subfuscus (Arionidae). Efficiency of slugs' species-specific defence mechanisms reflected their phylogeny. Defence mechanisms of slugs from the superfamily Arionoidea were significantly more effective at deterring an attack of non-specialised ground beetles than the defence mechanisms of slugs from Limacoidea superfamily. P. melanarius significantly preferred Agriolimacidae to Limacidae, and Limacidae to Arionidae. Slug species was the strongest factor influencing prey preferences of P. melanarius amongst slug prey. Surprisingly, this preference was much more significant than the slug weight. Weight and sex of P. melanarius had no impact on its prey preference.https://www.eje.cz/artkey/eje-200403-0002_Influence_of_slug_defence_mechanisms_on_the_prey_preferences_of_the_carabid_predator_Pterostichus_melanarius_C.phpslugdefencefood preferenceprey preferenceprey-choicelimacidaearionidaeagriolimacidaederoceras reticulatumlimaxarioncarabidaepterostichus melanarius |
| spellingShingle | Pavel FOLTAN Influence of slug defence mechanisms on the prey preferences of the carabid predator Pterostichus melanarius (Coleoptera: Carabidae) European Journal of Entomology slug defence food preference prey preference prey-choice limacidae arionidae agriolimacidae deroceras reticulatum limax arion carabidae pterostichus melanarius |
| title | Influence of slug defence mechanisms on the prey preferences of the carabid predator Pterostichus melanarius (Coleoptera: Carabidae) |
| title_full | Influence of slug defence mechanisms on the prey preferences of the carabid predator Pterostichus melanarius (Coleoptera: Carabidae) |
| title_fullStr | Influence of slug defence mechanisms on the prey preferences of the carabid predator Pterostichus melanarius (Coleoptera: Carabidae) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Influence of slug defence mechanisms on the prey preferences of the carabid predator Pterostichus melanarius (Coleoptera: Carabidae) |
| title_short | Influence of slug defence mechanisms on the prey preferences of the carabid predator Pterostichus melanarius (Coleoptera: Carabidae) |
| title_sort | influence of slug defence mechanisms on the prey preferences of the carabid predator pterostichus melanarius coleoptera carabidae |
| topic | slug defence food preference prey preference prey-choice limacidae arionidae agriolimacidae deroceras reticulatum limax arion carabidae pterostichus melanarius |
| url | https://www.eje.cz/artkey/eje-200403-0002_Influence_of_slug_defence_mechanisms_on_the_prey_preferences_of_the_carabid_predator_Pterostichus_melanarius_C.php |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT pavelfoltan influenceofslugdefencemechanismsonthepreypreferencesofthecarabidpredatorpterostichusmelanariuscoleopteracarabidae |