The Natural History Research and Museum Center at the University of Baghdad, with the support and guidance of its director, Assistant Professor Dr. Hanaa Hani Al-Saffar, organized a workshop entitled “First Recording of the Cuban Slug in Iraq” on Sunday, March 8, 2026. The workshop was led by Chief Agricultural Engineer Inas Abdul Khalifa and presented by Assistant Lecturer Hiba Mohammed Jihad.
The Cuban slug, a member of the Veronicellidae family, has spread to several regions outside its native range due to unintentional transport via plants and agricultural soil through trade and transportation. In some countries, it is considered an invasive species that may affect local biodiversity. Therefore, its presence in new areas necessitates ongoing environmental studies and biosurveys to monitor its spread and assess its environmental and agricultural impact.
The workshop aimed to document invasive species that may enter the Iraqi agricultural environment, as well as to document new species not previously recorded in Iraq. It also aimed to record the Cuban slug for the first time in Iraq, identify the diagnostic characteristics of this species, and discuss potential damage it may cause and methods of control and management. The most important recommendations that emerged from the workshop were to encourage taxonomic and environmental studies and to support scientific research related to the classification of terrestrial mollusks in Iraq, and to study the impact of invasive species such as *Cubensis* on local ecosystems. Emphasis was also placed on the necessity of establishing a national database for mollusks, documenting all species recorded in Iraq within a scientific database that would assist researchers and relevant authorities in monitoring and managing the spread of invasive species. These measures can contribute to limiting the spread of this species and preserving agricultural production and ecological balance.
We wish all the faculty members of our center success in serving the community, science, and knowledge.
