Short CoommunicationActivities of glycosidases in the foot muscles of African giant land snail, Archachatina marginata during aestivation

Abstract

The growth performance and the activities of glycosidases (amylase, cellulase and α-glucosidase) in the foot muscle of giant land snail, Archachatna marginata were examined during aestivation. Aestivation significantly affected the growth performance of the snails as active snails gained 16.4±0.02g while the aestivated snails lost 15.5±0.1g. Three glycosidases were detected in the foot muscle of the snails at varying levels: 33-37 Abs/min (α-glucosidase), 11-15 Abs/min (amylase) and 28-31 Abs/min (cellulase) with the active snails having significantly higher activities (Abs/min) in α-glucosidase and cellulase. Aestivation thus significantly affects the foot muscle activities of A.marginata.

Keywords/phrases: Aestivation, Glycosidases, Growth, Snail

Ethiop. J. Biol. Sci., 8(2): 165-170, 2009