Family TESTACELLIDAE Gray, 1840

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Introduction

The unusual slugs of this small family are carnivorous and bear a small vestigial shell on the posterior end of the body. The family is native to Europe and the Palaearctic Region. It has been recorded as an introduction into most of the other temperate regions of the world. Because of its habit of burrowing in soil in gardens, feeding mainly on earthworms and insect larvae, it is rarely seen. A few specimens, however, have been recorded in various parts of southern Australia.

The family is characterized by the body tapered towards the small, narrow head and the vestigial external shell on the posterior end of the body.

General References

Quick, H.E. 1960. British Slugs (Pulmonata : Testacellidae, Arionidae, Limacidae). Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History) Zoology 6: 103-226

Smith, B.J. 1998. Family Testacellidae. pp. 1107-1108 in Beesley, P.L., Ross, G.J.B. & Wells, A. (eds). Mollusca: The Southern Synthesis. Fauna of Australia. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing Vol. 5(Part B) pp. vi–viii, 565–1234.

Smith, B.J. & Kershaw, R.C. 1979. Field Guide to the Non-marine Molluscs of South-eastern Australia. Canberra : A.N.U. Press 285 pp.

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