Abstract
THE “Annals of the Natal Museum,” although only yet in its third volume of publication, has justly earned repute for the quality of the researches published therein. The journal is well printed and admirably illustrated with lithographic and other plates. In its current issue we have a bulky record of original investigations covering a wide field in the rich fauna of South Africa. Mr. Hugh Watson contributes an important and very fully illustrated memoir on the carnivorous slugs, with particular reference to the genus Apera. This genus appears to be confined to the maritime provinces of South Africa, one species occurring on the slopes of Table Mountain, and the remainder in Natal and the eastern part of the Cape Provinces. In addition to a systematic revision of its species, the author gives a valuable account of the anatomy of the genus and a full discussion of its phylogeny. He concludes that the species of Apera have not been directly evolved from any herbivorous form, and in their anatomy and geographical distribution are more closely related to the Rhytidas than to any other group. The only other carnivorous slug found in South Africa is the English Testacella maugei, Fér, which has a very wide distribution, and has probably been introduced into South Africa through the agency of man.
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
IMMS, A. Recent Zoological Research in South Africa 1 . Nature 97, 472–473 (1916). https://doi.org/10.1038/097472b0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/097472b0