Transmission of parasitic mites (Riccardoella oudemansi) between limacid slug hosts: the role of parasite and host behaviour

Abstract Transmission between hosts is crucial to the growth, development and reproduction of many parasites. As a consequence, parasites are under selection maximise transmission success exhibit behavioural morphological adaptations that allow detection of, movement between, hosts. However, not determined by alone, but also shaped host behaviours. Often, behaviours function minimise risk exposure parasites; in some cases, however, may be manipulated increase success. In this study, we investigated parasitic mite Riccardoella oudemansi slug ( Limacus maculatus ) hosts, considering role both parasite behaviour determining Host-host occurred when slugs were physical contact, mites capable moving across substrate locate new process facilitated mucus trails. We found no strong evidence avoid parasitised conspecifics, or manipulate transmission. Finally, showed preference for slugs, did discriminate from their own another slug. A general likely important encouraging remain close contact with facilitate host-switching outbreeding. encourage further study parasitism limacid where cross-species variation social drive differences rate species.