A new giant keelback slug of the genus Limax from the Balkans, described by citizen scientists

Researchers, including citizen scientists, have identified and described a new species of giant keelback slug, Limax pseudocinereoniger, within Durmitor National Park, Montenegro. This discovery, supported by both morphological and molecular data, highlights the region's rich biodiversity and challenges existing taxonomic understanding of the genus Limax. The study employed a citizen science expedition to gather samples, which were then analyzed using genetic techniques to distinguish this new species from its sympatric relative, L. cinereoniger. This finding underscores the importance of integrating citizen science in biodiversity research, particularly for poorly understood groups like European giant keelback slugs.

Schilthuizen, M., Thompson, C., de Vries, R., van Peursen, A., Paterno, M., Maestri, S., Marcolongo, L., Esposti, C., Delledonne, M., & Njunjić, I. (2022). A new giant keelback slug of the genus Limax from the Balkans, described by citizen scientists. Biodiversity Data Journal, 10. https://doi.org/10.3897/bdj.10.e69685