Its original genus name Avakubia was changed in 1929, because that name was preoccupied for a gastropod subgenus (Gulella (Avakubia) Pilsbry, 1919, Streptaxidae, Stylommatophora).
In these aspects they are anatomically distinct from most other types of terrestrial slugs, which typically belong to the order Stylommatophora, and which have a forward located anus, and retractile tentacles.