The invasive terrestrial slug Krynickillus melanocephalus Kaleniczenko, 1851 now also in Romania (Gastropoda: Agriolimacidae)
Notes → Non-arthropod invertebrates
Authors
1. Kappler Straße 57, 79117 Freiburg, Germany.
2. Senckenberg Museum of Natural History Görlitz, Am Museum 1, 02826 Görlitz, Germany
* Corresponding author: H. Reise, e-mail: heike.reise@senckenberg.de
Keywords
Mollusca, Stylommatophora, invasive species, human-mediated spread, pest species
Abstract
A population of the terrestrial slug Krynickillus melanocephalus was discovered in Cluj County (Județul Cluj), central Romania, in 2025. This anatomically verified record is complemented by further records from eastern Romania uploaded to iNaturalist. These occurrences demonstrate the ongoing spread of this invasive terrestrial slug and its arrival in Romania. Further slug photographs on iNaturalist indicate that the species also occurs in Moldova. Its potential impact on the native fauna and as an agricultural pest is discussed.
Article history
Received: 17 February 2026 / Accepted: 23 March 2026 / Available online: 15 June 2026 / Printed: 30 June 2026
Authors` ORCID IDs
A. Heckmann https://orcid.org/0009-0007-3397-3473
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