Banana Slug Genomics

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======Banana Slug Biology====== =====Taxonomy===== The term "banana slug" refers to any member of the genus //Ariolimax//, of which there are three species. They are part of the mollusc superfamily Arionoidea, which contains most terrestrial air-breathing slugs. Within //Ariolimax//, there are three species: //A. columbianus//, //A. californicus//, and //A. dolichophallus//, which is the UC Santa Cruz mascot. =====Appearance and Anatomy===== //Ariolimax dolichophallus//, the slender banana slug, can grow up to 7" long. As the name suggests, banana slugs are usually bright yellow in color, although they can also be green, black, brown, or white. Banana slugs are similar to other terrestrial species in their anatomy. They have two sets of retractable tentacles on their head. The top pair of larger tentacles are frequently referred to as eyestalks, and are used for light-sensing. The smaller lower pair of tentacles provide the slug with a sense of smell. The slug's mouth is on the underside of the head. Directly behind the head is the slug's mantle. The mantle is a fleshy structure that serves to protect the slug's anal and genital pores. The pneumostome is also found in this area, and is used for gas exchange. It connects to the banana slug's single lung.((http://oregonstate.edu/dept/nurspest/slug_anatomy.htm)) The remainder of the banana slug's body is the foot. Banana slugs move, as do other slugs, through contraction and expansion of this foot. Like some other terrestrial slugs, banana slugs have a backbone-like keel that runs along the foot.((http://oregonstate.edu/dept/nurspest/banana%20slug.htm)) Banana slugs are known for the thick mucous that they excrete from their skin. This mucous performs several functions. It keeps their skin lubricated, which is necessary for gas exchange. During mating season, banana slugs release pheromones in their mucous that signals their location to potential mates. In addition, the mucous provides some protection against predators, as it has anesthetic properties when it contacts a wet surface, such as the inside of a predator's mouth.((http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Ariolimax_columbianus.html)) =====Behavior and Ecology===== Banana slugs are detritivorous, eating dead and decomposing plant and animal matter. They also eat living plant material and have a special fondness for mushrooms. Since banana slugs are prone to desiccation in hot, arid environments, they are typically nocturnal, and come out during the day only when the weather is acceptable. During particularly dry periods of time, banana slugs can estivate by burying themselves in debris, secreting an especially thick coat of protective mucous, and going dormant until the conditions become more hospitable.((http://ic.ucsc.edu/college8core/c8wiki/index.php/Natural_History_of_UCSC)) Banana slugs have been shown to have a mutually symbiotic relationship with the redwood tree, //Sequoia sempervirens//. The slugs do not eat the seedlings of the redwood tree, preferring even cardboard over redwood trees. Instead, they eat plant species that compete with redwoods for light, water, and nutrients. In exchange for this, the redwoods provide the slugs with the cool, moist habitat that they need.((http://bss.sfsu.edu/holzman/courses/fall00projects/bananaslug.html)) Banana slugs are hermaphroditic, possessing both male and female genitalia. Though they are capable of self-fertilization, cross mating is more typical slug behavior. When a slug is ready to mate, it will release pheromones into its slime as a signal to other slugs. The slugs release sperm into each other and fertilize the eggs. After mating, the slugs will gnaw off each others male genitalia to disengage. Sperm collected in this fashion can be stored internally for several months, to allow immature eggs to fully develop before fertilization. Many animals are predators of the banana slug, including birds, raccoons, snakes, and salamanders. However, due to the mucous secreted by the slug, most such predators will roll the slug around in the dirt to remove the slime before eating the slug.((http://www.greatwildoutdoors.com/2007/09/10/banana-slug/)) ===== Citations ===== * **Heritable body size mediates apparent life-history trade-offs in a simultaneous hermaphrodite**[(cite:body_size> Heritable body size mediates apparent life-history trade-offs in a simultaneous hermaphrodite\\ B. L. W. MILLER & B. SINERVO\\ Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California at Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA\\ Journal of Evolutionary Biology\\ Volume 20 Issue 4, Pages 1554 - 1562\\ Published Online: 16 Apr 2007\\ doi:[[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1420-9101.2007.01331.x|10.1111/j.1420-9101.2007.01331.x]].)] ===== References ===== <refnotes>notes-separator: none</refnotes> ~~REFNOTES cite~~