Prophysaon andersoni
Prophysaon andersoni, common name the reticulate taildropper, is a species of air-breathing land slug, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Arionidae, the roundback slugs.
| Prophysaon andersoni | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Heterobranchia |
| Superorder: | Eupulmonata |
| Order: | Stylommatophora |
| Family: | Arionidae |
| Genus: | Prophysaon |
| Species: | P. andersoni |
| Binomial name | |
| Prophysaon andersoni (J.G. Cooper, 1872) | |
These slugs are notable for being able to self-amputate (autotomy) a portion of their tail.[1][2]
Description
Adults of this slug species are about 50 mm when active, but can exceed 60 mm in length. The color of the body is a grayish or reddish brown, or can be yellowish. The dorsum is furrowed with a reticulated pattern like a mesh of diamond shapes. The mantle of the slug has two dark lateral bands. The mucus is yellow or orange.[3]
Distribution
This species of slug occurs in North America, including California, Oregon and part of Montana.
References
- Rory J. Mc Donnel, Timothy D. Paine & Michael J. Gormally. 2009. Slugs: A Guide to the Invasive and Native Fauna of California Archived 2011-07-04 at the Wayback Machine. 21 pp., ISBN 978-1-60107-564-2. page 9
- Hand, C., and W.M. Ingram. 1950. Natural history observations on Prophysaon andersoni (J.G. Cooper) with special reference to amputation. Bulletin of the Southern California Academy of Sciences 49: 15-28.
- mtgov, Montana's Official State Website, Montana Field Guides, Reticulate Taildropper - Prophysaon andersoni,
External links
- information about Prophysaon andersoni: http://www.livinglandscapes.bc.ca/cbasin/molluscs/arionidae.html
- Prophysaon sp. 1 A Terrestrial Slug. NatureServe Explorer.
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