A rare record of oviposition in the semislug Tikoconus costaricanus (Stylommatophora: Euconulidae)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22458/urj.v18i1.6626Keywords:
Arboreal mollusk, reproductive behavior, oviposition site, tropical montane forestAbstract
Introduction: The semislug Tikoconus costaricanus is one of the best-studied Neotropical terrestrial mollusks; however, information on its reproductive behavior under natural conditions remains scarce, as oviposition sites have previously been reported only in captivity. Objective: To document the first field record of oviposition in T. costaricanus. Methods: I conducted a field observation in a mature forest at Braulio Carrillo National Park, Costa Rica, where I recorded the oviposition behavior and microhabitat characteristics. Results: On October 9, 2025 at 11:00h, I observed an individual laying eggs inside a narrow vertical crevice in the trunk of a shrub, approximately 1.5m above ground. The crevice penetrated the bark and created a dark and humid microenvironment between the cambium and the fractured bark. Conclusion: This record documents the first observed oviposition site of T. costaricanus in the wild and provides evidence of the use of humid arboreal microhabitats for reproduction. The morning observation suggests a possible concentration of activity during this period.
References
Barrientos, Z. (2019a). A new genus of semislugs (Stylommatophora, Euconulidae) from Costa Rica and a review of the genus Velifera (Stylommatophora, Euconulidae). Revista de Biología Tropical 67(6), 1313-1358. https://revistas.ucr.ac.cr/index.php/rbt/article/view/36105
Barrientos, Z. (2019b). Demography of Tikoconus costaricanus (Stylommatophora: Euconulidae) in tropical low montane and premontane forests, Costa Rica. Revista de Biología Tropical 67 (6), 1449-1460. https://revistas.ucr.ac.cr/index.php/rbt/article/view/36201
Barrientos, Z. (2020a). Microhabitat selection, and seasonal and daily activity of the snail Tikoconus costaricanus (Stylommatophora: Euconulidae) in tropical montane wet forest understory. Revista de Biología Tropical 68(4), 1131-1142. https://revistas.ucr.ac.cr/index.php/rbt/article/view/41620/44195
Barrientos, Z. (2020b). A new aestivation strategy for land molluscs: hanging upside down like bats. UNED Research Journal 12(1), e2802. https://doi.org/10.22458/urj.v12i1.2802
Barrientos, Z. (2021). Feeding habitat of the understory arboreal snail Tikoconus costaricanus (Stylommatophora: Euconulidae) in a tropical montane wet forest, Costa Rica. UNED Research Journal 13(1), e3311. https://doi.org/10.22458/urj.v13i1.3311
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