Aestivation and arousal interaction in the determination of reproduction in giant African land snails: 2. Preliminary morphometric study of the female organs

Abstract

The morphometric changes of the female reproductive organs of giant African land snails during aestivation and arousal were taken on 84 snails comprising 42 Archachatina marginata and 42 Achatina achatina and analysed. The aim was to provide baseline information on the role of the annual cycle of snails (aestivation-awake phases) on the reproductive ability of the giant African land snails. The weight, length and width of the organs were measured during a 6-week aestivation and 6-week post-aestivation periods. Significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the parameters of common hermaphrodite ducts, little hermaphrodite
ducts and albumen glands were recorded. The rate of degeneration was higher (P < 0.05) in A. achatina than in A. marginata in almost all the organs studied. Morphological recovery was within 2 weeks of post-aestivation in both species.