Ariolimax (Banana Slug) species

[Kevin]

Does anyone know the differences between Ariolimax columbianus and all the other Ariolimax species? and what species the slugs in the following picture are? they were found in California.

[Arno]

Ariolimax californicus Cooper,1872 Body light yellow,mantle idem. Length 175-200 mm. In central California.

Ariolimax dolichophallus Mead,1943 Body light yellow,mantle idem. Length 150-180 mm. In coastal central California.

Ariolimax columbianus Gould,1851 Banana slug
Body deep olive green,ochre,slate green,variable,with black spots varying from spots to blotches.
Length 185-260 mm.
In Alaska(Sitka),British Columbia,Washington,Oregon to California south the Salinas Valley.
Its area of distribution is Ventura County;The Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa Islands off the coast northward to below the Monterey Bay.

[Kevin]

snailwatcher said:

Ariolimax californicus Cooper,1872 Body light yellow,mantle idem. Length 175-200 mm. In central California.

Ariolimax dolichophallus Mead,1943 Body light yellow,mantle idem. Length 150-180 mm. In coastal central California.

Ariolimax columbianus Gould,1851 Banana slug
Body deep olive green,ochre,slate green,variable,with black spots varying from spots to blotches.
Length 185-260 mm.
In Alaska(Sitka),British Columbia,Washington,Oregon to California south the Salinas Valley.
Its area of distribution is Ventura County;The Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa Islands off the coast northward to below the Monterey Bay.

Thanks, so they're either californicus or dolichophallus, i'll try to find out where in California they were collected.

[Kevin]

The slugs were collected in Arcata, on the coast in Northern California, so they are Ariolimax dolichophallus? as they are found on the coast? though both dolichophallus and californicus are only found in Central California?

[John Logozzo]

These may also be called Ariolimax Columbianus.... I could be wrong but am taking a guess but it may not be wise as I am no researcher. John

[Kevin]

John said:

These may also be called Ariolimax Columbianus.... I could be wrong but am taking a guess but it may not be wise as I am no researcher. John

Arno mentioned Ariolimax columbianus in his post, the description of columbianus, and the slugs themselves doesnt seem to match.