Small and prickly puzzle for 2008

[Bruce Williams]

Took this photo of Tremella mesenterica while out walking my dog this afternoon (approx. 30mm long). It wasn't until I saw the image on screen that I noticed that there was a prickly little stowaway (approx 2mm long) at top left of the yellow-jelly (see close-up pic).

I ruled out baby Hedgehog on the basis of size, so any other ideas gratefully considered.

Happy New Year!!!
Bruce

[flaxton]

Bruce
Happy New Year.
Look we have enough trouble with fungi Try posting it on the insects or general forums. Although a lot of fungi hunters tend do to get to know a bit about nature in general on their walks so someone might just be able to help.
Mal

[Bruce Williams]

Oops! Just rechecked my notes: Fungi was approx 50mm long (not 30mm)which makes the prickly companion 3-4mm long .

Thanks Mal. Yes, if I get no takers on this forum I'll do as you suggest and open it to the insects and general forums.

Bruce

[NickCantle]

Not a clue, nice brain though

[Leif]

Slug? The texture looks right.

[NickCantle]

No Leif, a slug has Decurrent gills and is usually more blue, plus, I can't see a ring on the stem.

Probably a slug as Leif says

[Bruce Williams]

Yes I thought most likely a slug too but have been unable to find any info on or pics of tiny, spiny slugs.

Will ask on other WAB forums.

Thanks - Bruce

[haematocephalus]

Possibly the Hedgehog Slug Arion intermedius, which can appear quite prickly when contracted up, and is widespread throughout Britain. There is a picture of it at:
http://delta-intkey.com/britmo/images/tayp2024.jpg

(scroll down the page a bit)

Martin

[NickCantle]

Wow, fantastic, I think you've got it there. Welcome to WAB by the way

[Bruce Williams]

That's brilliant Martin - I'm sure you must be right.

That's a really useful "slug link" too as generally there seems to be very little on British slugs on the web. I have a couple of useful books on land snails and would love to get hold of a reference book on slugs - any suggestions?

Thanks again.
Bruce

[Dutchess]

Well done Martin! I surfed around last night looking for possible candidates and came up with nothing! I'm pretty tenacious so methinks you did well there

[haematocephalus]

Originally Posted by Bruce Williams

I have a couple of useful books on land snails and would love to get hold of a reference book on slugs - any suggestions?

What I use is;
Cameron, R.A.D., Jackson, N., and Eversham, B. 1983. A field key to the slugs of the British Isles. Field Studies 5: 807-824.

It was available as a stand-alone publication from the Field Studies Council, but seems to be out of print ; however, the text is now available to download from the FSC for free , see:
Field Studies Journal - FSC (Field Studies Council)

(scroll down to Vol 5 No 5)

The only downside is that the downloadable version doesn't include the colour plates that were in the printed copy.

Thanks for prompting me to look this up - I hadn't realised that there are lots of other interesting papers available from the above FSC link!

Martin


Martin Harvey
Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Environmental Records Centre - Welcome

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks Martin - an excellent resource...and the downloadable version of the Field key to the slugs of the British Isles (p.815) has got an excellent line drawing of A. intermedius that I'm sure confirms your identification.

The guide says that adults over 2cm are NOT prickly, so small size (~4mm) and prickly appearance id's this individual as a juvenile.

Bruce