TEST VERSION
2013
SLUGS OF BRITAIN
& IRELAND
(Short test version, pages 18-37 only)
By Ben Rowson, James Turner,
Roy Anderson & Bill Symondson
PRODUCED BY FSC 2013. TEXT AND PHOTOS © NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WALES 2013
External features of slugs
- Tail
- Mantle
- Head
Tubercles
Keel
Genital pore
Lateral bands
Tentacles.
Eyes
Breathing pore (pneumostome)
Keel
Variations in lateral banding
Mantle markings and ridges
Broken lateral bands
Mouth
Solid lateral bands
Sole (underside of foot)
Mantle. Note texture and presence of grooves and ridges, as Tubercles. Note whether numerous and small/fine vs. few and
- well as any markings and banding.
- large/coarse. Pigment may be present in the grooves between
tubercles.
Tentacles. Note colour. Slugs may need to be handled or
- disturbed to extend tentacles.
- Keel (raised ridge). Note length and whether truncated at the
tip of tail. Beware markings that may exaggerate or obscure the length of keel.
Breathing pore (pneumostome).
On right-hand side of body. Note whether rim is noticeably paler or darker than body sides.
Sole (underside of foot). Note colour and any patterning. The
sole in most slugs is tripartite i.e. there are three fields running
- in parallel the length of the animal. Is the central field a different
- Lateral bands. Note whether present on mantle and/or tail.
Note also intensity, whether broad or narrow, and whether high shade from the lateral fields or low on body side.
Shell
Dorsal grooves. In Testacellidae, note wheth-
Mucus pore.
er the two grooves meet in front of the shell or
Present only in Arionidae underneath it.
Foot fringe.
In Arionidae, note fringe colour and if stripes are present or not.
Mantle. In Testacellidae and Trigonochlamydidae, the mantle is situated near the tail but may be concealed by the shell, if present.
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FSC Test Version 2013. Text and photos © National Museum of Wales 2013
- Identifying slugs
- Using the identification charts
Living, adult slugs are the easiest to identify. Live slugs This book contains both identification charts and species differ in the shapes they adopt when contracted, accounts. [Not in test version.] We recommend that and their behaviour when disturbed. They may need inexperienced users first try the charts for identification.
to be examined closely, especially if small (a lens is They draw attention to important features and away
recommended). White tissue or paper is useful to check from distracting ones. The charts are designed to work the colour of the mucus. Always wash your hands after without the species accounts, although these should be handling slugs. Many species can be identified from consulted for additional features and useful background good photographs provided these show enough of the information to confirm identifications. key features. The right-hand side of the body contains more features since this is where the genital pore and Most of the charts offer several identification options at breathing pore are situated. Dead slugs (e.g. from beer once. Species (or groups of species) and identification or pitfall traps) may become difficult to identify as shapes features are arranged in vertical columns or horizontal distort and colours fade. Some species have to be killed rows. The rows sometimes run across two pages. Where and dissected for accurate identification (see p. 000) in a feature is shared by more than one species (or group of which case any observations or photographs of the live species) the box is spread across columns or rows. animal need to be taken first!
It is important to examine several features in turn,
ruling out as many species as possible each time. Boxes
There are two main problems with slug identification.
Firstly, many species are extremely variable in
- with
- a
- red outline highlight particularly distinctive
appearance. In particular, size, colour and markings can
vary between localities and habitats and even among slugs from a single clutch of eggs. They often change radically as slugs grow. features that will often work as shortcuts to the right identification.
Only one or a few species will correspond with all features, except in cases of exceptional variability. If the slug being identified does not correspond with all features, try returning to an earlier chart to check it is in the right group of species. Other species may be found in Britain and Ireland in future, but the vast majority of slugs will belong to the known species.
Secondly, juveniles of some species may resemble the
adults of others. Some species have a loosely-defined adult season, but juveniles can be encountered at any time of year. Without experience there is no easy way to distinguish a juvenile of a large species from an adult of a small species. Most slugs of 50 mm or more long will be mature enough to identify, but some species become adult at just 15 mm. Of course, slugs encountered mating or laying eggs will be adult. In some species the genital pore also becomes subtly swollen in adults. Juveniles may have noticeably bigger optic tentacles, relative to their body size.
Some externally similar slug species cannot be distinguished without dissection. Such cases are indicated in the charts.
For encouragement, remember that:
• Not every single slug you find will be identifiable,
at least at first. Juveniles especially are often not distinctive enough to identify to species.
These problems make it difficult to construct and use a dichotomous key (a key that presents only two options at a time). We have therefore adopted charts or tabular keys that show several options at once. Where possible, the identification charts emphasize shape, texture and behavioural features over size, colour, and markings. They are designed to work for both adults and (as far as possible) juveniles.
• With practice, especially as one encounters more species, identification becomes easier. This is motivation to keep exploring!
- 0 mm
- 50 mm
- 100 mm
- 150 mm
- 10
- 20
- 30
- 40
- 60
- 70
- 80
- 90
- 110
- 120
- 130
- 140
- [
- Very small
- ][
- Small
- ][
- Medium-sized
- ][
- Large
- ][
- Very large
(Approx. max recorded size 200 mm)
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FSC Test Version 2013. Text and photos © National Museum of Wales 2013
1. Major Groups I
- Group
- 1a.
- External shell
Shell spiral and obvious, even if thin and transparent.
Snails
For identification, see the AIDGAP guide by
- Cameron (2008).
- Animal able to retract fully into shell.
Mantle virtually hidden within shell.
Shell a loosely coiled spiral, very thin, transparent.
Semi-slugs (Vitrinidae)
Animal snail-like, but unable to retract fully into shell.
Go to Chart 15.
Mantle mainly hidden within shell, but with mantle lobes overlapping shell edge.
Shell virtually uncoiled, flattened and fingernaillike, covering only part of the rear end of the animal.
Shelled Slugs (Testacellidae)
Go to Chart 14.
Mantle virtually hidden beneath shell.
Other Slugs
No visible external shell.
Go to 1b.
- 1b.
- Mantle Position
- Group
Ghost Slug (Trigonochlamydidae)
p. XX
Mantle tiny, disc-shaped, at the very rear of the
- animal.
- Note: in extremely rare cases, Testacellidae
(p.xx) have been found alive but lacking a shell
Mantle cloak-like or shield-like, covering the neck and “shoulders”of the animal. Mantle is of a very different texture from rest of body with breathing pore on right side.
Other slugs
Go to Chart 2.
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FSC Test Version 2013. Text and photos © National Museum of Wales 2013
2. Major Groups II
- Round-backed Slugs
- Long-keeled Slugs
(Milacidae, Boettgerillidae)
- Short-keeled Slugs
- Short-keeled Slugs
(Agriolimacidae)
2.
- (Arionidae)
- (Limacidae)
No keel. Animal round-backed.
Note: a very weak keel is present in some species , especially when young, but unlike other keeled slugs these
Keel long, running all the way to the rear mantle edge.
Keel short, petering out well before the rear mantle edge.
have a mucus pore at the tail tip.
Rounded, with a mucus pore visible.
Pointed, with no mucus pore. Keel sloping sharply to tail tip.
Pointed, with no mucus pore. Keel sloping gradually to tail tip.
Pointed, with no mucus pore. Keel sloping sharply to tail tip.
groove groove
Mantle finely granular (“shagreened”).
- Mantle texture variable. A
- Mantle with fine concentric
ridges, like a fingerprint. Ridges centred around the midpoint of the back.
Mantle with fine concentric ridges, like a fingerprint. Ridges centred around the breathing pore.
- deep
- shaped groove is
usually present, but often inconspicuous.
Breathing pore in front half of mantle.
Breathing pore in rear half of mantle.
Breathing pore in rear half of mantle.
Breathing pore in rear half of mantle.
- 15 - 140 mm.
- 25 - 75 mm.
- 35 - 200 mm.
- 15 -50 mm
Usually rather sluggish and less willing to extend when handled. usually found on or in the Mucus may be very sticky and staining. Poor climbers.
- Particularly poor climbers,
- Rather active when handled.
Mucus may be thin and runny. Strong climbers, often found well off the ground.
Especially active, extending readily in the hand. Mucus may
- be thin and milky.
- ground.
Round-backed Slugs
(Arionidae)
Long-keeled Slugs
(Milacidae, Boettgerillidae)
Short-keeled Slugs
(Limacidae)
Short-keeled Slugs
(Agriolimacidae)
- Go to Chart 3.
- Go to Chart 8.
- Go to Chart 9.
- Go to Chart 13.
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FSC Test Version 2013. Text and photos © National Museum of Wales 2013
3. Arionidae: Genara & Subgenera
3.
- Geomalacus
- Arion (Kobeltia)
- Arion (Carinarion)
- Arion (Mesarion)
- Arion (Arion)
Medium-sized to very large
(60 - 140 mm).
Medium-sized (60 - 90 mm).
Very small to small
(15 - 45 mm).
Small
(30 - 45 mm).
Medium-sized (50 - 70 mm).
Small/fine; even more so than in many smaller species.
Varying between species. Small/fine; central row May appear prickly when often paler, giving the
Small/fine, even more so than in many smaller
Large/coarse; slugs nearly always rough or
- warty to the naked eye.
- retracted.
- impression of of a keel i.e. species.
a “false keel”.
A ball, formed by bending the sole in half.
Varies from a dome to elongate; less flattened than in subgenus
Carinarion.
A flattened dome, bellshaped in cross-section.
An elongate dome, very seldom hemispherical.
A near- hemispherical dome. May squirm or rock from side to side if disturbed.
- Colourless.
- Mucus yellow-orange, at
least on the sole, staining fingers or paper.
- Colourless.
- Mucus yellow-orange,
staining fingers or paper.
Mucus thick, sticky and very hard to remove, usually colourless.
Sole pale grey to white, never dark.
Sole pale grey to white, never dark
Sole coloured yellow-orange.
Foot fringe broadly and clearly striped from front to rear.
Back covered with pale spots.
W & SW Ireland only.
Foot fringe usually without stripes.
Foot fringe with narrow stripes from front to rear.
Foot fringe usually without stripes.
- Arion (Carinarion)
- Arion (Arion)
- Geomalacus
- Arion (Kobeltia)
- Arion (Mesarion)
p. XX
- Go to Chart 4.
- Go to Chart 5.
- Go to Chart 6.
- Go to Chart 7.
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FSC Test Version 2013. Text and photos © National Museum of Wales 2013
4. Arionidae: Arion (Kobeltia)
A. (Kobeltia) intermedius
A. (Kobeltia) distinctus
A. (Kobeltia) hortensis
4.
- A. (Kobeltia) occultus
- A. (Kobeltia) owenii
Very small
(15 - 20 mm).
Small
(35 - 40 mm).
Small
(25 - 40 mm).
Small
(25 - 40 mm).
Small
(25 - 40 mm).
- Dome-shaped
- A flattened dome, not
elongated.
Flattened, often slightly elongated.
May form a ( or C shape.
- Coarse, sometimes drawn Coarse, giving a rough or warty appearance, especially Tubercles fine, not giving
- Tubercles fine, not giving
a warty appearance. Bottom row of tubercles often contrastingly white. to slight points giving a “prickly”appearance in dry or cold conditions.
- in drier conditions.
- a warty appearance.
More variable than other Kobeltia: white to orange or blue-grey. Often a dull yellow-brown with darker head.
Yellow-brown, yellowgrey, or pale blue-grey.
- Dark grey-brown, suffused Dark blue-grey to black,
- Tawny yellow-brown to
- rich warm brown.
- with a trace of yellow or
putty- coloured pigment with little or no trace of yellow. Often bluish
Usually with obvious
diffuse dark pigment along centre of back. on back. Never blue-grey. when young.
Often absent; if present, faint and high on body.
High on body, not diffusing gradually down to foot fringe.
High on body, usually diffusing down to the foot fringe.
Low on body sides, almost reaching foot fringe.
Low on body sides, almost reaching foot fringe.
Variable., seldom black. Sole mucus:
Black to cold blue-black. Sole mucus:
Black to purplish-brown. Sole mucus:
Black to cold blue-black. Sole mucus:
Black to warm red-black. Sole mucus:
Season: Adults all year round.
Season: Adults mainly in spring.
- Season:
- Season:
- Season:
Adults mainly in summer. Adults mainly in spring and summer.
Adults mainly in autumn and winter, later than A.
distinctus.
A. (Kobeltia) occultus
- A. (Kobeltia) sp.
- A. (Kobeltia) intermedius
- A. (Kobeltia) owenii
- A. (Kobeltia) distinctus
- A. (Kobeltia) hortensis
(Dissection required)
- p. XX
- p. XX & p. XX
- p. XX
- p. XX
- p. XX
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FSC Test Version 2013. Text and photos © National Museum of Wales 2013
5. Arionidae: Arion (Carinarion)
5.
- A. (Carinarion) fasciatus
- A. (Carinarion) circumscriptus
- A. (Carinarion) silvaticus
Small
(35 - 45 mm).
Small
(30 - 40 mm).
Small
(30 - 40 mm).
- Grey to yellow-brown.
- Grey to blue-grey.
- Grey to blue-grey, or brown.
Usually with an orange or yellow pigment flush along sides below lateral band.
No orange or yellow pigment flush along sides.
No orange or yellow pigment flush along sides.
- Sides and sole a pale version of body colour.
- Sides and sole very pale, often bright white.
- Sides and sole very pale, often bright white.
- Relatively broad.
- Relatively narrow.
- Relatively broad.
- No dark flecks on mantle.
- Dark flecks or blotches usually present on
mantle.
Central area of mantle may be dark, but any pigment is diffuse, not in flecks.
Mainly in disturbed habitats including farms and some woods.
Mainly open habitats (but also in woods); extends further into uplands and acidic
habitats than A. (C.) circumscriptus.
Mainly in woods; does not extend as far into uplands and acidic habitats as A. (C.)
silvaticus.
Much less common in southern Britain and
- in Ireland than the other two species.
- Common throughout Britain and Ireland,
except in eastern England.
Common throughout Britain; in Ireland, mainly eastern.
- A. (Carinarion) fasciatus
- A. (Carinarion) circumscriptus
- A. (Carinarion) silvaticus
- p. XX
- p. XX
- p. XX
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FSC Test Version 2013. Text and photos © National Museum of Wales 2013
6. Arionidae: Arion (Mesarion)
6.
- A. (Mesarion) iratii
- A. (Mesarion) fuscus
- A. (Mesarion) subfuscus
Medium-sized (50 - 70 mm).
Medium-sized (50 - 70 mm).
Medium-sized (50 - 70 mm).
- Pale orange-brown to dark grey.
- Pale orange-brown.
- Variable, even within populations: from
bright orange-yellow, through brown and grey to (in uplands) purple-black.
Dark lateral bands present, with black spots or speckles usually present on back.
Dark smudge present on “cheeks”below mantle edges.
Dark lateral bands nearly always present, though may be faint, or obscured in dark individuals. Paler bands may occur above
Dark lateral bands present, with a paler band the dark bands. above.
- Orange or yellow.
- Orange, yellow, or colourless.
- Orange or yellow.
Known from upland woodlands, mainly larch plantations, in South Wales.
Known from woodlands in the Cairngorms and Sherwood Forest area; also from near Cannock Chase and Thetford Forest.
In almost all habitats, including woodlands and gardens.