First record of Arionvulgaris Moquin-Tandon, 1855 (Arionidae) from Armenia

Meri Arzumanyan; Gohar Zhamakochyan; Hasmik Torosyan; Arevik Ghrmajyan; Marine Arakelyan; Siranush Nanagulyan; Lusine Margaryan; Sargis Aghayan; Robert B Davis; Ágnes Turóci

doi:10.3897/BDJ.12.e121176

First record of Arionvulgaris Moquin-Tandon, 1855 (Arionidae) from Armenia

Biodivers Data J. 2024 Apr 8:12:e121176. doi: 10.3897/BDJ.12.e121176. eCollection 2024.

Affiliations

¹ Department of Zoology, Yerevan State University, Alex Manoogian 1, 0025, Yerevan, Armenia Department of Zoology, Yerevan State University, Alex Manoogian 1, 0025 Yerevan Armenia.
² Department of Botany and Mycology, Yerevan State University, Alex Manoogian 1, 0025, Yerevan, Armenia Department of Botany and Mycology, Yerevan State University, Alex Manoogian 1, 0025 Yerevan Armenia.
³ Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Scientific Center of Zoology and Hydroecology, NAS RA., P. Sevak 7, 0014, Yerevan, Armenia Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Scientific Center of Zoology and Hydroecology, NAS RA., P. Sevak 7, 0014 Yerevan Armenia.
⁴ Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, J. Liivi 2, 50409, Tartu, Estonia Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, J. Liivi 2, 50409 Tartu Estonia.
⁵ Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, HUN-REN, Herman Ottó út 15, H-1022, Budapest, Hungary Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, HUN-REN, Herman Ottó út 15, H-1022 Budapest Hungary.

Abstract

Background: Arionvulgaris Moquin-Tandon, 1855 is amongst the fastest-spreading terrestrial slugs Europe-wide. In recent years, it has been recorded in Canada, Mexico and continues to expand eastwards into Eurasia. Renowned for its high invasiveness, combatting its swift spread creates significant challenges in organising effective preventative measures.

New information: This study presents the first record of Arionvulgaris from Armenia, which is the second record of this species' invasion of the Caucasus. In 2022, a substantial population of A.vulgaris was observed close to the City of Stepanavan, which is also the first record in Armenia of the family Arionidae. How the species was introduced to Armenia remains unknown. Identification of Arionvulgaris was conducted, based on external and genital morphology and mitochondrial CO1 (cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1) gene sequencing, revealing notable similarities with Central European clades. Our results confirm the introduction and distribution of A.vulgaris to Armenia. Invasion of such species into Armenia will require additional monitoring and would be aided by further research on Armenia's mollusc fauna in the future.

Keywords: Caucasus; Gastropoda; biological invasions; terrestrial molluscs.

Meri Arzumanyan, Gohar Zhamakochyan, Hasmik Torosyan, Arevik Ghrmajyan, Marine Arakelyan, Siranush Nanagulyan, Lusine Margaryan, Sargis Aghayan, Robert B Davis, Ágnes Turóci.

Grants and funding

Data sampling was supported by the Science Committee of RA, in the framework of research projects 21AG-1F033 and 21T-1F281, the Rufford Small Grant Foundation, project ID: 23120-1. DNA extraction, PCR, and barcoding were carried out within the framework of the Caucasus Barcode of Life (CaBOL) project.