Effects of artificially induced aestivation on edible tropical land snail Achatina achatina

Abstract

The effects of artificially induced aestivation on edible tropical land snail species Achatina achatina under controlled laboratory conditions for 12 weeks in plastic snaileries was studied, comparing active (control) snails given water and food ad libitum with aestivated snails without food and water. Parameters determined were weights of edible and non- edible portions of each snail. Aestivated snails showed significant (p<0.05) weight loss of between 37-39% when compared with the control. Aestivated snails underwent reversible biochemical mechanism, becoming active upon sensory stimuli of contact with water at the end of experimentation.


Animal Production Research Avancees Vol. 3 (1) 2007: pp. 42-45