The Kerry slug or Kerry spotted slug (Geomalacus maculosus) is a species of terrestrial, pulmonate, gastropod mollusc. It is a medium-to-large sized, air-breathing land slug in the family of roundback slugs, Arionidae.
Adult Kerry slugs generally measure 7–8 cm (2.8–3.1 in) in length; they are dark-grey or brown with yellowish spots. The internal anatomy of the slug has some unusual features and some characteristic differences from the genus Arion, also part of Arionidae. The Kerry slug was described in 1843—later than many other relatively large land gastropods present in Ireland and Great Britain—an indication of its restricted distribution and secretive habits.
Although the distribution of this slug species includes south-western Ireland—including County Kerry—the species is more widespread in north-western Spain and central-to-northern Portugal. Given that the slug has thus far been recorded exclusively at locations in Ireland and north-western Iberia, it can be said to tentatively possess a Lusitanian distribution. The species appears to require environments that have high humidity, warm summer temperatures and acidic soils with no calcium carbonate. The slug is mostly nocturnal or crepuscular but in Ireland it is active on overcast days. It feeds on lichens, liverworts, mosses and fungi, which grow on boulders and tree trunks.
The Kerry slug is protected by conservation laws in the three countries in which it occurs. It is now known to be less dependent on sensitive, wild habitats than when these laws were introduced. Attempts have been made to establish breeding populations in captivity to ensure the survival of this slug species but these have been only partly successful.
^Rowson, B. (2017). "Geomalacus maculosus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T9049A85983466. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T9049A85983466.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
^Allman, G. J. (1843). "On a new genus of terrestrial gasteropod". The Athenaeum (829): 851.
^Simroth, H. (1894). "Beiträge zur Kenntniss der portugiesischen und der ostafrikanischen Nacktschnecken-Fauna". Abhandlungen der Senckenbergischen Naturforschenden Gesellschaft (in German). 18 (3): 289–307, table 1, figure 1, table 2, figure 1–3. Archived from the original on 1 July 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
^Castro, J. da Silva (1873). "Mollusques terrestres et fluviatiles du Portugal. Espèces nouvelles ou peu connues". Jornal de Sciencias Mathematicas, Physicas, e Naturaes (in French). 4: 241–246. Archived from the original on 6 August 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
^"Geomalacus maculosus General Information". EUNIS biodiversity database. European Environment Agency (EEA). Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2010.
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Sleggs as Michael "Slugs" Slugette (series 1–2). A quiet young man who has terminal cancer. Despite his tragic circumstances, Kerry and Kurtan show no...
The jaw structure can be ribbed or smooth: Drawing of the jaw of the KerrySlug Geomalacus maculosus. The jaw of this species measures about 1 mm and...
that is rare both in the Killarney woods and in Ireland as a whole. The KerrySlug (Geomalacus maculosus) is a hiberno-lusitanean species. It emerges in...
anguiformis has atrial diverticulum shorter than spermatheca duct while Kerryslug Geomalacus maculosus has atrial diverticulum longer than spermatheca duct...
natural and a Special Area of Conservation. Wildlife includes the rare Kerryslug. Province of León Montes de León Cave of Valporquero Municipal Register...
being possibly "the most beautiful westerly view in Kerry". Since the discovery of the rare Kerryslug and designation of the area as a Special Area of Conservation...
basin of the Blackwater River. This is one of the areas in which the rare Kerryslug is known to occur. Other rare species which are protected by the SAC include...
Logares Vieiro Vilabol de Suarna Vilar de Cuíña Wildlife includes the rare Kerryslug. Wikimedia Commons has media related to A Fonsagrada. One or more of...
Community Importance (ES4190110), where species of interest include the Kerryslug. The SCI partially overlaps with a Special Protection Area (ES4130024)...
speciosa) can also be found here. The Caha Mountains are home to the Kerryslug, otters, badgers, hares, lizards, brown trout and frogs. The peregrine...
capercaillies (Cantabrian capercaillie). There is also a population of the rare Kerryslug. The proposed integration of the biosphere reserves is expected to benefit...
E.A.; Speight, M.C.D. (1988). "The taxonomy and distribution of the Kerryslug Geomalacus maculosus Allman, 1843 (Mollusca: Arionidae) with a discussion...
Wood" (Inchiquin being the lake next to the wood). Fauna includes: The KerrySlug (listed in annexes II and IV of the Habitats Directive) The Lesser horseshoe...
on the sleeves of their uniforms depicting a caricature of Caray. Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa dedicated each of his 66 home runs that season to Caray. Caray...
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