Prophysaon andersoni

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

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

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 and part of Montana.