The importance of mucus production in slugs' reaction to molluscicides and the impact of molluscicides on the mucus producing system

Abstract

In Deroceras reticulatum, mucus cell ultrastructure and the histochemistry of the epidermis and the digestive tract epithelia were shown to be influenced by carbamate and metaldehyde, two molluscicides used as both contact and oral toxins. After carbamate poisoning mucus production is increased and the chemical composition of the slime is modified. Ultrastructural damage is less intense than after metaldehyde poisoning. After metaldehyde application mucus secretion is activated immediately and the production of mucus is prevented by the severe effect of this chemical, especially on undifferentiated mucus cells.