- Banana slug
Taxobox
name = Banana slugs
image_width = 200px
regnum =Animal ia
phylum =Mollusca
classis =Gastropoda
ordo =Pulmonata
subordo =Stylommatophora
familia =Arionidae
genus = "Ariolimax"
genus_authority = Morch, 1859
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = "Ariolimax californicus" "Ariolimax columbianus" "Ariolimax dolichophallus"Banana slugs are any
species of the pulmonategastropod genus "Ariolimax", (literally, "Arion 's slug"), although when used in the context of a species banana slug usually refers to the Pacific banana slug, "Ariolimax columbianus".pecies
* "
Ariolimax californicus " J. G. Cooper, 1872 —California banana slug Turgeon, D. D., A. E. Bogan, E. V. Coan, W. K. Emerson, W. G. Lyons, W. Pratt, et al. 1988. Common and scientific names of aquatic invertebrates from the United States and Canada: mollusks. American Fisheries Society Special Publication 16. vii + 277.]
* "Ariolimax columbianus " (Gould, 1851) —Pacific banana slug
* "Ariolimax dolichophallus " Mead, 1943 -Slender banana slug [ [http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=77084 ITIS Standard Report Page Ariolimax dolichophallus Mead, 1943] , Integrated Taxonomic Information System - United States Government] [ [http://www.jstor.org/view/00030031/di003325/00p0139n/17?searchUrl=http%3a//www.jstor.org/search/BasicResults%3fhp%3d25%26si%3d1%26gw%3djtx%26jtxsi%3d1%26jcpsi%3d1%26artsi%3d1%26Query%3ddolichophallus%26wc%3don&frame=noframe¤tResult=00030031%2bdi003325%2b00p0139n%2b13%2c00C004628404&userID=ab4270ea@stanford.edu/01c0a8347100501c04959&dpi=3&config=jstor Revision of the giant west coast slugs of the genus "Ariolimax" (Pulmonata, Arionidae)] by Albert R. Mead, "The American Midland Naturalist" 30:692]Description
Banana slugs are usually bright
yellow (somewhat resembling abanana ) although they may also be green, brown, or white. Some slugs have black spots ("Ariolimax columbianus") which may be so extensive as to make the animal look almost solid black.The Pacific banana slug is the second-largest species of terrestrial
slug in the world, growing up to 25 cm (9.8 in) long (the largest is "Limax cinereoniger " ofEurope , which can reach 30 cm (12 in) in length.) Slugs use two pairs oftentacle s to sense their environment. The larger, upper pair, termed "eyestalks," is used to detect light or movement. The second, lower pair is used to detect chemicals. The tentacles can retract and extend themselves to avoid damage.Banana slugs have a single
lung which opens externally via apneumostome . The pneumostome lung cavity is heavily vascularized to allow gas exchange. Banana slugs excrete a thick coating of slime (mucus) around their bodies. Dehydration is a major problem. To prevent themselves from drying out, slugs can also estivate: they secrete a protective layer of mucus, and insulate themselves with a layer of soil and leaves. They remain inactive in this state until the environment is moist again.The coating offers other protections as well. It allows slugs to travel unharmed across the sharp edge of a razor blade or piece of glass, and can thwart predators; the slug excretes thick mucus and humps its body up, making itself appear larger. When the slime comes into contact with a moist surface, it produces an anesthetic which causes the membranes to go numb.
The slime of the banana slug also lubricates the terrain over which they move, so they can travel more easily. When climbing a tree, a slug can drop back down quickly using a string of slime. Researchers have made unsuccessful attempts to reproduce slug slime, since it is one of the best natural glues, and has potential uses in
medicine . The slime also containspheromone s to attract other slugs for mating. Slugs arehermaphrodite s, and reproduce by exchangingsperm with their mate. They produce up to 75 translucent eggs, which are laid in a log or on leaves. Slugs mate and lay eggs throughout the year. The adults provide no further care for their eggs beyond finding a suitable hiding spot, and the eggs are abandoned as soon as the clutch is laid.Distribution
"
Ariolimax columbianus " is native to theforest floors along North America's Pacific coastal coniferous rainforest belt (including redwood forests) which stretches from SoutheasternAlaska to centralCalifornia , just south of theSan Francisco Bay Area (Santa Cruz).Several discontinuous populations do occur in forested slopes of the coastal and traverse mountain ranges south of Santa Cruz as far south as
Ventura County , with a tiny, isolated population located inPalomar State Park within thePalomar Mountain Range inSan Diego County, California . ThePalomar Mountains have lush Sierra Nevada-like coniferous forests and black oak woodlands unlike the surrounding semiarid lands of inland San Diego County and mark the southernmost population of banana slugs.Small, isolated populations also occur east of the Pacific Coast such as the in the inland coniferous rainforests of
British Columbia 'sColumbia Mountains (interior wet-belt), just west of theCanadian Rockies , and have been seen at lower elevations near creeks and damp areas ofMount Revelstoke National Park . Small populations of banana slugs have also been seen along creek and damp areas of the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountains to the north ofYosemite National Park in California. Slug densities in these outlying areas in the Columbia Mountains, Sierra Nevada Mountains, and areas south of Santa Cruz are low compared to densities in the coastal coniferous rainforest belt and are rather restricted to damp areas near creeks, ravines, and gullies.Ecology
Banana slugs are
detritivore s, or decomposers. They process leaves, animal droppings, and dead plant material, and then recycle them into soil. They seem to have a fondness formushroom s, and they spreadseed s andspore s when they eat. They move relatively slowly since banana slugs, like all slugs, have only one muscular foot. [ [http://ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Natural_History_of_UCSC Natural History of UCSC] ] . [http://bss.sfsu.edu/holzman/courses/Fall00Projects/bananaslug.html The Biogeography of the Banana Slug (Ariolimax columbianus)] ]Raccoon s,garter snake s,duck s, geese andsalamander s sometimes eat banana slugs, but they roll the slugs in the dirt to bind up the slime. Baby banana slugs are sometimes eaten byshrew s or moles.Salt is harmful to all slugs. Through
osmosis , water diffuses to the surface of the skin to dilute the salt, causing the slug to dehydrate.Popular culture
*A cartoon on the
Cartoon Network called "Camp Lazlo", there is an anthropomorphic banana slug who is the scoutmaster's assistant.*A banana slug can be seen on the cover the 2003 album by
A Perfect Circle ,Thirteenth Step ee also
*
Slug References
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