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]

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]

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

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