Niche Separation in Woodland Slugs

Abstract
Measurements of the mean vertical distribution of 6 spp. of slug [Arion ater, A. fasciatus, A. hortensis, A. intermedius, A. subfuscus and Agriolimax reticulatus] made at night in mixed deciduous woodland are reported. Only 2 groups of species can be separated on this single niche dimension. The possible effects of adverse weather conditions on the packing of the exploitation volume through divergent but overlapping food preferences and foraging behavior are discussed.