Abstract

ADEMOLU, K.O.; JAYEOLA, O.A.; IDOWU, A.B.  and  ELEMIDE, I.O.. Circadian variation in locomotor and feeding periods of two land snail species. Arch. zootec. [online]. 2011, vol.60, n.232, pp.1323-1326. ISSN 1885-4494.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S0004-05922011000400048.

The daily locomotor activities, feeding time and active periods of two snail species (Archachatina marginata and Achatina achatina) were investigated in an artificial habitat. Chemical analysis of the haemolymph were carried out for the 24 hours period. There were differences (p<0.05) in the activities of the 2 snail species. The mean distance traveled by A. marginata ranged between 1.9 cm to 32.6 cm while A. achatina ranged from 1.0 to 18.9 cm. The peak of the feeding activity was at 24.00 h for both species while the least, was recorded between 4:00 and 20.00 h. The two snail species were most active at 22:00-24:00 h and were least active at 11:00-17:00 h. The chemical analysis of the haemolymph showed difference (p<0.05) in the concentrations of Cl^- and lipids across the 24 hours period.

Keywords : Archachatina marginata; Achatina achatina.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in English     · English ( pdf )