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The effects of food and density on the nocturnal behaviour of Arion ater and Ariolimax columbianus (Pulmonata: Stylommatophora)
Author(s) -
Hamilton Peter A.,
Wellington William G.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
population ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.819
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1438-390X
pISSN - 1438-3896
DOI - 10.1007/bf02515633
Subject(s) - pulmonata , nocturnal , biology , population density , ecology , population , zoology , food supply , gastropoda , demography , agricultural science , sociology
Summary The effects of food supply and population density on the nocturnal behaviour of Arion ater and Ariolimax columbianus were investigated. Density did not significantly affect A. ater's level of activity or short‐term movement, resting, or feeding. A. columbianus was more active and moved, rested, and fed more frequently when slug density was high. A. ater foraged and rested more often, but fed less when good food was unavailable. Ariolimax's only response to the food regime was to feed more when good food was available. Seasonal changes in the level of activity and behaviour of Arion were evident, whereas Ariolimax's activity and behavioural repertoire were not similarly affected. Arion ater's nightly activity appeared to be mainly food oriented, while Ariolimax columbianus seemed most responsive to slug density during its nocturnal activity periods.