Giant African Land Snail (Achatina fulica)
Of all Mollusca, the most research has been done on the category that includes snails and slugs. The banana slug is a widely studied example of the slug group of Mollusca. Since their endocrine system is essentially identical to that of a snail, the following information will be repeated. The cerebral ganglion, or brain, of the species is responsible for secreting a neurohormone. This neurohormone is sent to the hermaphroditic gonad, which is a gland that has both the male and female reproductive systems included. Most, if not all, slugs are hermaphrodites, which means that they are both male and female. The gonads that lay eggs are isolated from the male reproductive systems in the Mollusca. This hormone is stored in a typical organ until used.The gonad also secretes testosterone, which allows the slug to reproduce as a male as well. This gland affects the mating patterns of these animals as well. These slugs are extremely similar to snails in form and function; however, they lack the protective shell of a snail.
FUN FACT: These species can grow up to a foot long.
Banana Slug Video
FUN FACT: These species can grow up to a foot long.
Banana Slug Video