Laevicaulis haroldi (Veronicellidae: Gastropoda), A Potential Future Invaderto India

Invasive alien species are considered one of the greatest threats to biodiversity, ecosystem services, economy and human health. Global climate change will only exacerbate the impact of several invasive species in the introduced range. Hence the control and management of invasive species is crucial. Spatial tools such as GIS/RS and ecological niche models can help understand the potential region where the species might invade and predict invasive spread under different climate change scenarios. This study explores if the newly introduced slug from South Africa, Laevicaulis haroldi (Purcell’s hunter slug or caterpillar slug) will become invasive in India under current as well as future climate scenarios. Our result suggests that most parts of western and Peninsular India are vulnerable to the invasion, and suitable regions will only increase under both climate change scenarios. It calls for the early detection and management of this potential invader to India.