Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

BEHAVIOUR OF MATING IN THE GARDEN MUG LAEVICAULIS ALTE (FERUSSAC) (SOLEOLIFERA VERONICELLIDAE)

A. Panigrahr

Abstract

Mating in the garden slugs Laevicaulis alte (Ferussac) is of reciprocal type and monsoon dependent. Frequency. of mating pairs was noted maximum in August which gradually declined in the next 2 months in natural conditions. In other months, it is confined only to a certain period following sufficient rain. Mating is 1b1 lowed by courtship of 2 partners of equal or near equal in size in which they fondle and caress each other. One partner inserted it's penis into the female genital pore of the other partner and the same is followed by other partner which was possible since the partners lie side by side, placin1J, the anterior tip of one partner at the posterior tip of other partner. The partners were seen in copula for a period of 55-100 (average 74. IS ± 6.36 S.E.) minutes.