The susceptibility of terrestrial gastropods to experimental infection withElaphostrongylus rangiferi Mitskevich (Nematoda: Metastrongyloidea)

Abstract

Sixteen species of terrestrial gastropods, collected at Tromsöya, northern Norway, were experimentally brought into contact with first stage larvae ofElaphostrongylus rangiferi, a parasite causing neurological disorders in reindeer,Rangifer tarandus (L.). All species were susceptible to infection but there were considerable variations in incidence and intensity of infections and in the development of the nematode in the different gastropod species. InDiscus ruderatus, Arion silvaticus, Deroceras laeve, Euconulus fulvus, andTrichia hispida, development to infective third stage larvae took about 20 days at 20°C. InSuccinea pfeifferi, Deroceras reticulatum andArianta arbustorum development was somewhat slower. InCochlicopa lubrica, Arion subfuscus, A. hortensis, Vitrina pellucida, Nesovitrea spp., andClausilia bidentata, only small numbers of larvae developed and at a very slow rate. InVertigo lilljeborgi andPunctum pygmaeum, the larvae did not develop. Growth in length ofE. rangiferi inD. ruderatus was rapid and continuous up to the second molt (about 15 days postinfection). Thereafter there was a slower growth rate. Tissue reactions against the infection were observed in eleven of the gastropod species. No obvious relationship between the degree of tissue reactions and susceptibility to infection was found.