The effect of sertraline, haloperidol and apomorphine on the behavioural manipulation of slugs (Deroceras invadens) by the nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita

• Published in: Behavioural processes Vol. 165; pp. 1 - 3
• Main Authors: Cutler, J., Williamson, S.M., Rae, R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.08.2019; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Amines; Antidepressants; Apomorphine; Avoidance behavior; Behaviour; Biogenic amines; Biological control; Deroceras invadens; Dopamine; Dopamine receptors; Gastropods; Haloperidol; Manipulation; Nematodes; Neurotransmitters; Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita; Serotonin; Sertraline; Gastropods; Neurotransmitters; Behaviour; Manipulation; nematodes
• ISSN: 0376-6357; 1872-8308
• DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2019.06.009

•Previous research has shown slugs avoid the nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita.•In contrast, slugs infected with P. hermaphrodita are attracted to the nematode•Uninfected slugs fed sertraline were attracted to P. hermaphrodita.•Slugs infected with P. hermaphrodita fed haloperidol were not attracted to nematodes.•Biogenic amines produce similar behavioural phenotypes as P. hermaphrodita infection. The nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita can infect and kill many species of slugs and has been formulated into a biological control agent for farmers and gardeners. P. hermaphrodita can manipulate the behaviour of slugs, making those infected move to areas where the nematode is present. Research suggests P. hermaphrodita uses manipulation of biogenic amines to achieve this, however the exact role of serotonin and dopamine needs further elucidation. Here we fed slugs Deroceras invadens (uninfected and infected with P. hermaphrodita) apomorphine, sertraline and haloperidol and observed their behaviour when given a choice between a P. hermaphrodita infested habitat, or a parasite free area of soil. In contrast to their usual P. hermaphrodita avoidance behaviour, uninfected D. invadens fed sertraline were attracted to the nematodes and conversely those fed haloperidol avoided the nematodes. D. invadens fed apomorphine were recorded equally on the control and nematode side. D. invadens pre-infected with P. hermaphrodita fed sertraline and apomorphine were found significantly more on the side with the nematodes. However, suppressing dopaminergic signalling through feeding with haloperidol abrogated this attraction and slugs were found on both sides. These results demonstrate that serotonin and dopamine are potential regulators of behavioural manipulation by P. hermaphrodita.