Pacific Banana Slug
The Pacific Banana Slug (Ariolimax columbianus) is a species of slug found on the Pacific coast of North America.[1] It is the second-largest species of terrestrial slug in the world, growing up to 25 centimeters (9.8 in) long.[1] As of 2021, it is the most commonly observed species in the genus Ariolimax on the citizen science website iNaturalist.[2] An important function of this particular species is the role it plays in seed dispersion.[3]
| Pacific Banana Slug | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Heterobranchia |
| Order: | Stylommatophora |
| Family: | Ariolimacidae |
| Genus: | Ariolimax |
| Species: | A. columbianus |
| Binomial name | |
| Ariolimax columbianus (Gould, 1851) | |
Description
The Pacific Banana Slug can grow up to 25 centimeters long, making it the second largest terrestrial slug in the world.[1] It is often bright yellow, but it can also be greenish, brown, tan, or white. The Pacific Banana Slug 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.[4]
Distribution
The Pacific Banana Slug 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.
Mantle, note the prominent pneumostome
Tail, note full length foot fringe and keel
A Pacific Banana Slug whose tail appears to be nearly entirely black.
References
- Thomas, Kristen. "Ariolimax columbianus". Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
- "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. Vol. 140. Is. 1. Pp. 103-110.
- 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.