A Guide for Terrestrial Gastropod Identification - University of ...

Philomycidae
Megan E. Paustian, University of Maryland
There are 21 species (3 genera) that inhabit the eastern U.S. and Canada. All species of
Philomycidae (mantleslugs) are slugs. Pallifera are small slugs that are 7-30 mm long, while the
medium-large Philomycus and Megapallifera are 50-100 mm long. The Philomycidae are
characterised by a mantle that covers the entire dorsal body, and these slugs lack an internal shell
and divisions on the foot sole. Philomycus alone employs a calcified dart in mating. Philomycid
mantles are usually marked with longitudinal rows of gray, brown, or black spots, stripes, or
chevrons, which form patterns diagnostic to species. Some Pallifera species have solid color
mantles.
Philomycids occupy both deciduous and coniferous forest, although they favor old, moist
deciduous forest (particularly beechwood and basswood). Some species prefer rocky cliffsides
or upland pine forest. Some species have received special conservation status, particularly those
that are restricted to small endemic ranges. Slugs are found in moist locations beneath loose
bark, under dead logs, in tree crevices, and in leaf litter. They are best observed during rainy
weather and at night when they move and forage on tree trunks (Philomycus, Megapallifera) or
the ground (Pallifera). As implied by the family name, most species feed on fungus and lichen.
Megapallifera consume algae that grow on tree trunks and other surfaces.
This family is restricted to the eastern half of the U.S. and Canada. Species range north
to Ontario and Nova Scotia, south to Florida and Louisiana, and as far west as Iowa and
Oklahoma. Pallifera pilsbryi is found in Arizona.
Information summarized from Pilsbry (1948), Burch (1962), Chichester & Getz (1973),
Hubricht (1985), Fairbanks (1990).
TAXON AUTHOR
G-
RANK DISTRIBUTION
AL, AR, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, MO, MS, NC, NY, OH,
Megapallifera mutabilis (Hubricht, 1951) G5 PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WI, WV; Canada: ON
Megapallifera ragsdalei (Webb, 1950) G3 AR, IL, KY, MO, OK
Megapallifera wetherbyi (W.G. Binney, 1874) G2G3 KY, TN, VA
IA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, NC, NY, OH, PA, VA, WI, WV;
Pallifera dorsalis (A. Binney, 1842) G5 Canada: NS, ON
AL, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, OH, SC, TN,
Pallifera fosteri F.C. Baker, 1939 G5 VA, WI, WV; Canada: ON
Pallifera hemphilli (W.G. Binney, 1885) G4 IN, MI, NC, TN, VA
Pallifera marmorea Pilsbry, 1948 G3 AR, IL, KY, LA, MO, OK
Pallifera megaphallica Grimm, 1961 G5
Pallifera ohioensis (Sterki, 1908) G5 ME, OH
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