ON THE BODY-MASS AND RESPIRATION OF THE BULB-EATING SLUG, MILAX-RUSTICUS (MILLET, 1843) (MOLLUSCA, GASTROPODA, MILACIDAE) FED ON LETTUCE ORCABBAGE

The body mass and respiration of the bulb-eating slug, Milax rusticus (Millet, 1843), fed on lettuce or cabbage or their combination for 40 days under controlled and in different temperatures, were determined. There was a steady increase in the body mass of this slug fed on lettu ce or cabbage. Significant differences existed on the body mass (F = 2 0.46; P < 0.001), on the duration of feeding (F = 10.25; P < 0.001) an d on the moisture content (F = 37.34; P < 0.01) of these slugs fed on either diets. Fluctuating trends in respiration for the first ten days followed by a decrease of the same for the remaining feeding period w ere discernible in lettuce or cabbage fed slugs, which were not found to be significantly different (F = 0.14; P > 0.05). A correlation betw een the temperature change and the oxygen consumption was evident in t hose fed on lettuce or cabbage or their combination.