The Freeze Tolerance of the Terrestrial Slug, Ambigolimax valentianus

Land-dwelling slugs are routinely exposed to cold or freezing temperature during the winter. Some species of slugs can even survive partial ice formation within their bodies. How they survive low temperatures is largely a mystery as ice formation is damaging, and they lack external protection like shells. This project aims to determine the lower temperature tolerance of Ambigolimax valentianus, a species of invasive slug that has established damaging populations in Japan, Canada, and Europe. To do this, we will expose A. valentianus to sub-zero temperatures under different environmental conditions (day lengths and cold temperature acclimations) and measure their freezing points and overall survival. Then, we will attempt to determine if small molecules, called cryoprotectants, play a role in their freezing tolerance as they do in other species of molluscs. With this information, we can determine the factors that influence the lower temperature tolerances of A. valentianus, which if remarkable, would be a property that could allow them to outcompete native species.

Faculty Supervisor:

Katie Marshall

Student:

Partner:

Kyoto University

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Education

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program: