A new record of tropical land slug, a terrestrial gastropod, mollusk (Laevicaulis alte (Férussac, 1822): Pulmonata: Veronicellidae) in the southern plains of Yemen

Abstract

The tropical leatherleaf slug, Laevicaulis alte (Férussac, 1822) (Pulmonata: Veronicellidae), is a destructive terrestrial gastropod recognized as a high-risk invasive agricultural pest worldwide. Originally native to central and southern Africa, the species has expanded its range globally via international trade, establishing populations across tropical and subtropical regions, including parts of the Middle East and the Arabian Peninsula. This paper documents the first confirmed record of L. alte in the southern plains of Yemen, based on eighteen specimens collected from a single locality in the Al Mahfad district, Abyan Governorate at coordinates 14°33.101 N, 46°54.492 E, during the months of December 2025 and June 2026. Given the slug's high adaptability, its capacity to devastate crop yields, and its role as an intermediate host for parasitic nematodes of public health concern, documenting its presence in Yemen is a crucial first step toward establishing effective phytosanitary measures and integrated pest management (IPM) programs.