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Black slug
Arion ater
-37.8746, 145.348
Field Notes
Description:
Very shiny very black slug approx 50mm long (contracted to about 30mm ) with distinct tubercules on body and a tan/black perimeter on its foot.
Habitat:
Moist leaf litter under trees; on some green plants; around faeces and corpses.
Notes:
These things should NOT be in Australia but were first reported in 2001 in the Dandenong Ranges 40km east of Melbourne. They were next seen in 2005 and now in 2012 I found dozens. There have also been reports of them in the Otway Ranges to the south-west of Melbourne. Regarded as a pest in Europe and England (their origin) they seem to have survived the worst drought in Victoria's recorded history and therefore might be regarded as 'established' here.
http://biodiversitysnapshots.net.au/BDRS/images/mv/species/400774.jpg
Reference Links:
Black Slugs: Museum Victoria
Species ID Suggestions
Spotted for Missions
Photographed
PublishedJanuary 8, 2012
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