Ariolimax columbianus (Pacific Banana Slug)
Photo by Aronlevin (public domain), via Wikimedia Commons
about the species
Ariolimax columbianus, the Pacific banana slug, is a large terrestrial gastropod found in moist forests of the Pacific Northwest, extending into northern California. It inhabits coastal and montane forests where it functions as a key detritivore, recycling nutrients by consuming decaying plant matter and fungi. The species is closely associated with cool, humid microclimates and is recognizable by its yellow to brown coloration and prominent mantle, making it an emblematic invertebrate of West Coast forests.
why species was selected
The Pacific banana slug was selected because of its ecological importance, broad distribution, and low dispersal capacity. These traits make it well suited for investigating population structure, connectivity, and responses to environmental gradients. Genomic data will help clarify patterns of regional differentiation and inform conservation of forest invertebrates under changing climate and land-use conditions.
