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{{short description|Species of slug found on the Pacific coast of North America known as the Pacific banana slug}}
{{Speciesbox
|image=Banana Slug-1.jpg
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|genus=Ariolimax
|species=columbianus
|authority=(Gould, 1851)
|synonyms=
}}
 
The '''''AriolimaxPacific columbianus''Banana Slug''' or the ('''PacificAriolimax banana slugcolumbianus''') is a species of slug found on the Pacific coast of North America.<ref name=adw/> {{It is the second-largest species of terrestrial [[slug]] in the world, growing up to 25 centimeters (9.8&nbsp;in) long.<ref name="adw" /> As of|2019}} 2021, it is the most commonly observed species in the genus ''[[Ariolimax]]'' on the [[citizen science]] website [[iNaturalist]].<ref name=inatobs/> An important function of this particular species is the role it plays in seed dispersion.<ref>Gervais, J., Traveset, A., Willson, M. (1998). “The Potential for Seed Dispersal by the Banana
Slug (Ariolimax columbianus)”. The American Midland Naturalist. Vol. 140. Is. 1. Pp.
103-110.
</ref>
 
== Description ==
The Pacific Banana Slug can grow up to 25 centimeters long, making it the second largest terrestrial slug in the world.<ref name="adw" /> It is often bright yellow, but it can also be greenish, brown, tan, or white. The Pacific Banana Slug commonly also has black spots covering the tail, sometimes so extensively that the tail may appear completely black. Individual slugs can also change color from changes in their environment and eating habits, and can also indicate if a slug is healthy or injured.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Harper|first=Alice Bryant|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/18937538|title=The banana slug : a close look at a giant forest slug of western North America|date=1988|publisher=Bay Leaves Press|others=Daniel Harper|isbn=0-9621218-0-0|location=Aptos, Calif.|oclc=18937538}}</ref>
 
==Distribution==
The Pacific bananaBanana slugSlug is found from [[Alaska]], United States and [[British Columbia]], Canada in the north down through [[Idaho]], [[State of Washington|Washington]], and [[Oregon]] to [[Southern California]], with the highest concentration in California. They are the only species of the genus ''Ariolimax'' that is found outside of California. They are found in moist and damp areas of the [[forest floor]].
 
{{Gallery
|Ariolimax columbianus 0511.JPG|Mantle, note the prominantprominent [[pneumostome]]
|Tail End of a White Pacific Banana Slug on Kaien Island.png|Tail, note full length [[Slug#Description|foot fringe and keel]]. This individual appears to lack melanin, possibly displaying [[albinism]].
|Pacific Banana Slug.jpg|A Pacific Banana Slug whose [[Slug#Description|tail]] appears to be nearly entirely black.}}
}}
 
==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name=adw>{{citeCite web|url=https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Ariolimax_columbianus/|title=Ariolimax columbianus|first=Kristen|last=Thomas|website=Animal Diversity Web|accessdate=13 inSeptember ADW2019}}</ref>
<ref name=inatobs>{{cite web |title=Observations: ''Ariolimax'' |url=https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?taxon_id=47777&view=species |website=iNaturalist.org |accessdate=14 April 2019}}</ref>
}}
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[[Category:Ariolimacidae]]
[[Category:Fauna of the Pacific Northwest]]▼
[[Category:Molluscs of North America]]
▲[[Category:FaunaEndemic fauna of the Pacific Northwest]]
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