Conserving and restoring at risk species and ecosystems on the BC South Coast
Scarletback Taildropper
Prophysaon vanattae
A member of the family Arionidae (“roundback slugs”), this species is also referred to as “scarlet-mantled” taildropper. Prophysaon or “taildropper” slugs are “pulmonate” (air breathing through an internalized lung-like structure), terrestrial mollusks. Species in this genus are capable of “autotomy” (self-amputation) of a portion of their caudal area (tail), a mechanism to confuse or elude predators. The amputated tail portion may regenerate later.
COSEWIC: Not listed, BC List: Blue
Length 2.5 to 5 cm. Terrestrial slugs can be quite variable in colour and patterning. Generally, scarletback taildropper is reddish in colour (especially dorsally – but not always), grey-buff along the sides, with two conspicuous dark bands running laterally from the mantle to the tail. These bands define a wedge-shaped lighter dorsal area which may enclose a (sometimes faint), dark dorsal stripe at midline. The sole (bottom of foot), is usually cream colored but can be grey. The pneumostome (pore used for air breathing) is located at or in front of the midline of the mantle covering the right side. The tail often has oblique constrictions (not always), that mark the area where autotomy has occurred. A mucus pore usually found on the tail area of other slugs is absent.
RESOURCES
For further information see:
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