Draft:Grey-Blotched Semi-Slug

= Grey-Blotched Semi-Slug (Fastosarion griseolus) =

Introduction
Fastosarion griseolus, commonly known as the grey-blotched semi-slug, is a terrestrial mollusc species discovered and described by J. Stanisic in 2010. It's primarily found in south-eastern Queensland, Australia. This species is part of the Helicarionidae family, notable for its semi-slug characteristics.

Description and Habitat
The grey-blotched semi-slug possesses a unique anatomical structure with a reduced shell that may appear ear-shaped or plate-like, situated on the animal's back. The shell is covered by flaps of tissue known as ‘accessory breathing surfaces’, which facilitate oxygen absorption directly from the air. These semi-slugs predominantly reside in terrestrial environments.

Classification
The taxonomic classification of Fastosarion griseolus is as follows:


 * Kingdom: Animalia
 * Phylum: Mollusca
 * Class: Gastropoda
 * Subclass: Heterobranchia
 * Infraclass: Euthyneura
 * Superorder: Eupulmonata
 * Order: Stylommatophora
 * Suborder: Helicina
 * Infraorder: Limacoidei
 * Superfamily: Helicarionoidea
 * Family: Helicarionidae
 * Subfamily: Helicarioninae
 * Genus: Fastosarion
 * Species: Fastosarion griseola

Taxonomic Note
Originally named Fastosarion griseola, the species name was later changed to Fastosarion griseolus, to match the masculine gender of the genus name. However, it's important to note that this change is subject to ongoing taxonomic revisions and may not be universally accepted.

Distribution and Ecology
The Grey-blotched semi-slug has a specific geographic distribution, predominantly found from Bundaberg to Miriam Vale in Queensland. It has also been introduced to Brisbane. The species exhibits distinct genital anatomy compared to its clade members and is considered the most basal species in its clade.

Conservation Status
As with many native land snails, the conservation status of Fastosarion griseola is not explicitly documented but warrants attention due to habitat destruction and environmental changes affecting many mollusk species.

References and Further Reading
For more detailed information, consult the following sources:


 * Australian Land Snails, Volume 1: A Field Guide to Eastern Australian Species, by Stanisic et al., 2010.
 * MolluscaBase (2023): Fastosarion griseola J. Stanisic, 2010.
 * Marine Species Traits (2023): Fastosarion griseola J. Stanisic, 2010.

This article incorporates text from the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License​ undefined and was written by ChatGPT 4 with human input.

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