Responses of Terrestrial Slugs to Secretions of Stressed Conspecifics

Abstract
The responses of terrestrial slugs ( Lehmannia valentiana) to the mucus of stressed and nonstressed conspecifics were investigated. The latency to leave filter paper containing freshly secreted mucus from individuals stressed by prodding with a forceps was significantly faster than latencies to leave filter paper treated with mucus from nonstressed conspecifics. Stressed slugs may release substance(s) aversive to conspecifics.