Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Reproductive maturation in the slug,Limax maximus, and the effects of artificial photoperiod

Journal of comparative physiology volume 125, pages 317–325 (1978)Cite this article

Summary

Maturation of the reproductive tract ofLimax maximus was studied in a natural population using a reproductive organ-to-body weight index. Male-phase maturation, denoted by enlargement of the hermaphrodite gland (gonad), took place mainly in June and July. Female-phase maturation, signaled by growth of the albumen gland, occurred primarily in September. When slugs were subjected to artificial photoperiods consisting of long (LD 16∶8) or short (LD 8∶16) days, female-phase maturation was not found to be significantly affected by photoperiod (Fig. 4). In contrast, male-phase maturation appeared to be induced by a short-day to long-day transition (Fig. 7). Implications of this finding for normal seasonal maturation are discussed and a maturation sequence involving both photoperiodic and endocrine control mechanisms is suggested.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

  • Abeloss, M.: Effets de la castration chez un mollusqueLimax maximus L. C.R. Acad. Sci. (Paris)216, 90–91 (1943)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bailey, T.G.: The in vitro culture of reproductive organs of the slugAgriolimax reticulatus (Mull). Neth. J. Zool.23, 72–85 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bouillon, J.: Influence of temperature on the histological evolution of the ovotestis ofCepea enmoralis L. Nature117, 142–143 (1956)

    Google Scholar 

  • Geraerts, W.P.M., Joosse, J.: Control of vitellogenesis and of growth of female accessory sex organs by the dorsal body hormone (DBN) in the hermaphroditic freshwater snail,Lymnaea stagnalis. Gen. comp. Endocr.27, 450–464 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gottfried, H., Dorfman, R.J.: Steroids of invertebrates. IV. On the optic tentacle-gonadal axis in the control of the male-phase ovotestis in the slugAriolimax californicus. Gen. comp. Endocr.15, 101–119 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gottfried, H., Dorfman, R.I., Forchielli, E., Wall, P.W.: Aspects of the reproductive endocrinology of the giant land slugAriolimax californicus (Stylommatophora: Gastropoda). Gen. comp. Endocr.9, 454 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kugler, O.E.: A morphological and histochemical study of the reproductive system of the slug,Philomycus carolinianus (Base). J. Morph.116, 117–132 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Laviolette, P.: Rôle de la gonade dans le déterminisme humoral de la maturité glandulaire du tractus genital chez quelques gastropodes Arionidae et Limacidae. Bull. Biol. Fr. Belg.88, 310–332 (1954)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lüsis, O.: Postembrionic changes in the reproductive system of the slugArion ater rufus. L. Proc. Zool. Soc. London137, 433–468 (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lüsis, O.: Changes induced in the reproductive system ofArion ater rufus L. by varying environmental conditions. Proc. Malacol. Soc. Lond.37, 19–26 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Menaker, M.: Rhythms, reproduction and photoreception. Biol. Reproduc.4, 295–308 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pelluet, D.: On the hormonal control of cell differentiation in the ovotestis of slugs (Gastropods: Pulmonata). Canad. J. Zool.42, 195–199 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pelluet, D., Lane, N.J.: The relation between neurosecretion and cell differentiation in the ovotestis of slugs (Gastropods: Pulmonata). Canad. J. Zool.39, 789–805 (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  • Runham, N.W., Bailey, T.G., Laryea, A.A.: Studies of the endocrine control of the reproductive tract of the grey field slug,Agriolimax reticulatus. Malacologia14, 135–142 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Runham, N.W., Laryea, A.A.: Studies on the maturation of the reproductive system ofAgriolimax reticulatus (Pulmonata: Limacidae). Malacologia7, 93–1081 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Segal, E.: Discussion. Cold Spr. Harb. Symp. quant. Biol.20, 504–505 (1960)

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, B.: Maturation of the reproductive tract ofArion ater (Pulmonata: Arionidae). Malacologia4, 325–349 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Streiff, W.: Étude endocrinologique du déterminisme du cycle sexuel chez un Mollusque hermaphrodite protandreCalyptraea sinensis L. Ann. Endocr.28, 461–472 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Takeda, N.: Stimulation of egg-laying by nerve extracts in slugs. Nature267, 513–514 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wattez, C.: Effect d'injections répétées de broyats de tentacules oculaires sur la gonade en croissance et en cours de régénération d'Arionides tentaculectomisés: Etude chezArion subfuscus Draparnaud (Gasteropode Pulmone). Gen. comp. Endocr.27, 479–487 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wijdenes, J., Runham, N.W.: Studies on the function of the dorsal bodies ofAgriolimax reticulatus (Mollusca; Pulmonata). Gen. comp. Endocr.29, 545–551 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore County, 21228, Catonsville, Maryland, USA

    Phillip G. Sokolove & Elinor J. McCrone

Authors
  1. Phillip G. Sokolove
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Elinor J. McCrone
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

This work was supported in part by grants from NSF (BNS 76-10783) and NIH (MH 27948) to P.G.S.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sokolove, P.G., McCrone, E.J. Reproductive maturation in the slug,Limax maximus, and the effects of artificial photoperiod. J. Comp. Physiol. 125, 317–325 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00656866

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00656866

Keywords

search

Navigation