Bielzia

Bielzia coerulans was discovered in 1847 and described under the name Limax coerulans by Austrian-Hungarian malacologist, Michael Bielz (1787-1866), in 1851. (His son Eduard Albert Bielz was also a malacologist.)

Bielzia coerulans is the only species in the genus Bielzia.[4]

Some authors, for example Russian malacologists,[3] classify genus Bielzia as the only genus (monotypic) within the separate family, Limacopsidae.[3][5] There is also a separate subfamily, Bielziinae, for genus Bielzia (I. M. Likharev & Wiktor, 1980).

According to the taxonomy of Bouchet & Rocroi (2005), Limacopsidae and Bielziinae are synonyms for Limacinae.[6]

Bielzia coerulans

This species is endemic to the Carpathian Mountains in Central and Eastern Europe.

The type locality of Bielzia coerulans is South Carpathians in Romania.[3]

• Czech Republic - in Moravia only, vulnerable (VU) in Moravia[7][8]
• Southern Poland[4]
• Slovakia[9]
• Ukraine[3]
• Romania[3]
• Hungary
• Germany (presumed introduction in Westerwald, Rhineland-Palatinate, discovered 2012)[10]

Adults of Bielzia coerulans are blue

Juveniles of Bielzia coerulans are brown

This slug turns blue when an adult and becomes 100 – 140 mm in length.[11] It is evenly blue or bluish green (occasionally black) with a dark greyish head and tentacles, and margins pale yellowish, sole pale yellowish or whitish.[11]

Juveniles are yellowish brown with dark lateral bands.[11]

Reproductive system: Genitalia are without penis.[11] There is only an accessory organ for copulation.[11]

Bielzia coerulans inhabits deciduous and coniferous forests in mountains, usually at the bottom, or under dead wood logs.[11]

Maturity is in June to July.[11] Copulation occurs at the soil.[11] There are 30-80 eggs laid in one clutch.[11] Adults die after egg deposition.[11] Half grown juveniles hibernate.[11] Fully grown slugs appear in May.[11]

This article incorporates public domain text from the reference.[11]

Media related to Bielzia coerulans at Wikimedia Commons