Image of red slug

Description:

Arion sp. found near Colewort Creek at Lewis and Clark National Historical Park. Could be either A. rufus, A. vulgaris, or A. ater. All three species have distribution throughout Oregon and the Greater Pacific Northwest region. All three species can look extremely similar if not identical. The only means for differentiating these species is to perform a dissection on the slug in question and examine the genitals. This specimen possesses several phenotypic features that are common amongst the A. ater, A. rufus, A. vulgaris species complex. These features include long course tubercles, black stripes along the fringe of the foot, and the absence of a keel. It is quite possible that this specimen is A. rufus. Characteristics that suggest such an ID include: [The fringe along the foot is bright orange and that the head and tentacles of the animal are considerably darker than the rest of the body. The breathing pore is located prior to the midpoint of the mantle.]