Prophysaon andersoni

Prophysaon andersoni
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Gastropoda
Order:	Stylommatophora
Family:	Ariolimacidae
Genus:	Prophysaon
Species:	P. andersoni
Binomial name
Prophysaon andersoni (J.G. Cooper, 1872)

Prophysaon andersoni, common name the reticulate taildropper, is a species of air-breathing land slug, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Ariolimacidae.

These slugs are notable for being able to self-amputate (autotomy) a portion of their tail. ^{[1] [2]}

Description

Feeding on fly agaric, in California

Adults of this slug species are about 50 mm when active, but can exceed 60 mm in length. The color of the body is a grayish or reddish brown, or can be yellowish. The dorsum is furrowed with a reticulated pattern like a mesh of diamond shapes. The mantle of the slug has two dark lateral bands. The mucus is yellow or orange. ^[3]

Distribution

This species of slug occurs in North America, including California, Oregon, Idaho, and part of Montana. ^{[4] [5]}

References

1. Rory J. Mc Donnel, Timothy D. Paine & Michael J. Gormally. 2009. Slugs: A Guide to the Invasive and Native Fauna of California Archived 2011-07-04 at the Wayback Machine . 21 pp., ISBN   978-1-60107-564-2. page 9
2. Hand, C., and W.M. Ingram. 1950. Natural history observations on Prophysaon andersoni (J.G. Cooper) with special reference to amputation. Bulletin of the Southern California Academy of Sciences 49: 15-28.
3. mtgov, Montana's Official State Website, Montana Field Guides, Reticulate Taildropper - Prophysaon andersoni,
4. "Prophysaon andersoni (Reticulate Taildropper) | Idaho Fish and Game Species Catalog". idfg.idaho.gov. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
5. Webmaster, David Ratz. "Reticulate Taildropper - Montana Field Guide". fieldguide.mt.gov. Retrieved 2025-08-25.

External links

• information about Prophysaon andersoni: http://www.livinglandscapes.bc.ca/cbasin/molluscs/arionidae.html
• Prophysaon sp. 1 A Terrestrial Slug. NatureServe Explorer.