Source: Wikipedia
| Ariolimax columbianus | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Order: | Stylommatophora |
| Family: | Ariolimacidae |
| Genus: | Ariolimax |
| Species: | A. columbianus
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| Binomial name | |
| Ariolimax columbianus (Gould, 1851)
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| Synonyms[2] | |
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Ariolimax columbianus, the Pacific banana slug, is a species of slug found on the Pacific coast of North America.[3] It is the second-largest species of terrestrial slug in the world, growing up to 25 centimeters (9.8 in) long.[3] As of 2021, it is the most commonly observed species in the genus Ariolimax on the citizen science website iNaturalist.[4] An important function of this particular species is the role it plays in seed dispersion.[5]
Description
[edit]Ariolimax columbianus can grow up to 25 centimeters long, making it the second largest terrestrial slug in the world.[3] It is often bright yellow, but it can also be greenish, brown, tan, or white. Ariolimax columbianus commonly also has black spots covering the tail, sometimes so extensively that the tail may appear completely black. Individual slugs can also change color from changes in their environment and eating habits, and can also indicate if a slug is healthy or injured.[6]
Distribution
[edit]Ariolimax columbianus is found from Alaska, United States and British Columbia, Canada in the north down through Idaho, Washington, and Oregon to Southern California, with the highest concentration in California. They are the only species of the genus Ariolimax that is found outside of California. They are found in moist and damp areas of the forest floor.
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Mantle, note the prominent pneumostome -
Tail, note full length foot fringe and keel. This individual appears to lack melanin, possibly displaying albinism. -
A Pacific banana slug whose tail appears to be nearly entirely black.
References
[edit]- ^ NatureServe (4 April 2025). "Ariolimax columbianus". NatureServe Network Biodiversity Location Data accessed through NatureServe Explorer. NatureServe. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
- ^ "Ariolimax (Ariolimax) columbianus (A.Gould, 1851)". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
- ^ a b c Thomas, Kristen (2000). Fabritius, Stephanie (ed.). "Ariolimax columbianus". Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
- ^ "Observations: Ariolimax". iNaturalist.org. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
- ^ Gervais, J.; Traveset, A.; Willson, M. (1998). "The Potential for Seed Dispersal by the Banana Slug (Ariolimax columbianus)". The American Midland Naturalist. 140 (1): 103–110. JSTOR 2426993.
- ^ Harper, Alice Bryant (1988). The banana slug : a close look at a giant forest slug of western North America. Daniel Harper. Aptos, Calif.: Bay Leaves Press. ISBN 0-9621218-0-0. OCLC 18937538.
External links
[edit]
Data related to Ariolimax columbianus at Wikispecies
Media related to Ariolimax columbianus at Wikimedia Commons
