Species differentiation of slugs (Mollusca, Pulmonata) by using DNA-fingerprinting techniques (SSR-a PCR; RAPD)

The differentiation of slug species within or between genera using morpholo gical features can be difficult and sometimes inaccurate. So far the method s of dissecting specimen and using the reproductive tract as a characterist ic (KERNEY et al. 1983) as well as protein electrophoresis (BACKELJAU et al . 1996) have been described as feasible approaches eo determine slug specie s. In this contribution the utility of DNA-fingerprinting using either simp le sequence repeat anchored polymerase chain reaction (SSR-a PCR) or random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) is portrayed. DNA samples for both method s were isolated from fresh somatic slug tissue and several oligonucleotide primers have been used to generate DNA fingerprints. PCR products were reso lved by agarose gel electrophoresis and visualized by ultraviolet transillu mination. In this paper it is shown that both met:hods are suitable molecul ar tools to distinguish the slug species Arion distinctus, Arion fasciatus and Deroceras reticulatum on the species and the genera level.