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| Prophysaon andersonii | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Order: | Stylommatophora |
| Family: | Ariolimacidae |
| Genus: | Prophysaon |
| Species: | P. andersonii
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| Binomial name | |
| Prophysaon andersonii (J.G. Cooper, 1872)
| |
Prophysaon andersonii, common name the reticulate taildropper, is a species of air-breathing land slug, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Ariolimacidae endemic to Western North America.[1]
These slugs are notable for being able to self-amputate (autotomy) a portion of their tail.[2][3]
Description
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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.[4]
One of the most common colorations found is generally a grey coloration, mostly found off the coast.[1][5][6]
This species does not have any dark bands on the foot of the slug, only reticulation.[7][8]
The slugs are more brown as you go inland towards california.[9]
this species can also be distinguished by male Genetalia, which are always smaller than the muscular body of the epiphallus. This is generally not used due to the distinctive reticulated pattern of this slug .[7]
Similar species
[edit]Prophysaon foliolatum is a similar species to Prophysaon andersonii but has a distinct yellow band, that never occurs on Prophysaon andersonii.[10][7]
Distribution
[edit]This species of slug occurs on the West Coast of North America, including California, Oregon, Idaho, and part of Montana.[11][12]
Gallery
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Prophysaon andersonii (J.G.Cooper, 1872)". www.gbif.org. Retrieved 2026-01-07.
- ^ 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,
- ^ "Occurrence Detail 5087616279". www.gbif.org. Retrieved 2026-01-07.
- ^ "Occurrence Detail 5167397850". www.gbif.org. Retrieved 2026-01-07.
- ^ a b c "Prophysaon andersonii | Terrestrial Mollusk Tool". idtools.org. Retrieved 2026-01-07.
- ^ "NatureServe Explorer 2.0". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 2026-01-07.
- ^ "Occurrence Detail 5837988003". www.gbif.org. Retrieved 2026-01-07.
- ^ budlogan (2020-10-01). "Yellow Bordered Tail Dropper Slug, Gastropods, Vancouver Island". Retrieved 2026-01-07.
- ^ "Prophysaon andersoni (Reticulate Taildropper) | Idaho Fish and Game Species Catalog". idfg.idaho.gov. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
- ^ Webmaster, David Ratz. "Reticulate Taildropper - Montana Field Guide". fieldguide.mt.gov. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
External links
[edit]- information about Prophysaon andersoni: http://www.livinglandscapes.bc.ca/cbasin/molluscs/arionidae.html
- Prophysaon sp. 1 A Terrestrial Slug. NatureServe Explorer.
