Abstract

ADEMOLU, K.O.; TAIWO, B.E.; JAYEOLA, O.A.  and  AJAYI, O.. Egg laying and albumen gland composition of Archachatina marginata during growth phases. Arch. zootec. [online]. 2013, vol.62, n.240, pp.603-606. ISSN 1885-4494.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S0004-05922013000400014.

The egg laying pattern and albumen gland composition in three growth phases of Archachatina marginata: snailet, juvenile and adult were investigated in this study. The juvenile stage laid the highest number of snails (9.3) followed by the adult stage (4.7), while no egg was laid by the snailet phase. However, the eggs laid by the adult phase were significantly (p<0.05) heavier than those laid by the juvenile stage. The adult stage had the biggest albumen gland (7.30±0.1cm) and the highest lipase, proteinase, α-glucosidase, amylase and cellulase activities followed by the juvenile stage, while the snailet had the least values. However, results of organic composition of the albumen gland show that juvenile phase has a statistically higher protein, glucose and lipid composition than the other two growth phases. Correlation analysis showed a strong positive relationship between egg number and albumen gland glucose, protein and lipid composition It can thus be inferred that juvenile stage of A. marginata has the best reproductive capability and potential.

Keywords : Snail; Reproductive capability.

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