Kingdom Animalia Superfamily Veronicelloidea Genus Diplosolenodes Rank Species | Class Gastropoda Family Veronicellidae Phylum Mollusca | |
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Scientific name Diplosolenodes occidentalis Similar Sarasinula plebeia, Sarasinula, Veronicellidae, Veronicella cubensis, Leidyula | ||
Diplosolenodes occidentalis is a species of air-breathing land slug, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Veronicellidae, the leatherleaf slugs.
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Distribution
Diplosolenodes occidentalis was originally discovered and described by Lansdown Guilding from the West Indian island of Saint Vincent. It seems likely that this species is native to most of the Lesser Antilles.
The distribution of Diplosolenodes occidentalis includes the Lesser Antilles:
It has been introduced to the Greater Antilles, Central America and northern South America:
It occurs in greenhouses in Logan County, Oklahoma.
This species has not yet become established in the wild in the USA, but it is considered to represent a potentially serious threat as a pest, an invasive species which could negatively affect agriculture, natural ecosystems, human health or commerce. Therefore, it has been suggested that this species be given top national quarantine significance in the USA.
Description
This slug is most easily recognized by the black speckling on its mantle or hyponota. The body length can reach up to 60 mm.
Ecology
This species may be found in undisturbed environments as well as in agricultural settings, where it may be regarded as a minor pest.