Growth and digestibility of cereal meal in Archachatina marginata Swainson and effects of variation of some abiotic (environmental) factors

Abstract

The sutitability of cereal meal as a snail feed and the effects of variation of some abiotic factors were investigated in Archachatina marginata.  Guinea corn meal was found to be better digested and assimilated than corn meal.  The ECD and ECI of the younger and matured snails were higher than the older snails, although the latter assimilated more food.  Activity, aestivation and mortality to different eenvironmental or abiotic factors showed appreciable or detrimental effects.  Adequate temperature (27°C – 31°C) and water (moisture) had a positive effect on the snails while extremes or lack of these factors had a negative effect.  Unfavourable environmental conditions led to mortality which is usually avoided by aestivation an ecophysiological adaptive process