DISTRIBUTION AND FEEDING BEHAVIOUR OF CHLAMYDEPHORUS GIBBONSI IN THE WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE OF SOUTH AFRICA

The purpose of this study was to investigate the distribution and feeding behaviour of the South African predatory slug, Chlamydephorus gibbonsi Binney, 1879 (Mollusca: Gastropoda), which is endemic to the eastern region, but has now spread to the Western Cape province (WCP). A total of 210 C. gibbonsi specimens were collected from the WCP between January 2012 and December 2015. Slug numbers were found to steadily increase from nine specimens collected in 2012, to 111 specimens collected in 2015, indicating establishment of C. gibbonsi in its new habitat. Of the sample sites studied, 13.7% were found to be positive for C. gibbonsi, including sites in George, Knysna, Swellendam, Hermanus and Stellenbosch. The habitats of positive sample sites were all commercial nurseries. Feeding behaviour of C. gibbonsi is described using an earthworm of the genus Amynthas.