Comparative morphology and ph of the alimentary tract in Archachatina marginata and Achatina achatina

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-100
Author(s):  
F.A. Okeniyi ◽  
O.A. Osinowo

A study was carried out to investigate the comparative morphology and pH of the gut in the Giant African Land Snails, in Archachatina marginata and Achatina achatina respectively. The crop is long, distended and less fleshy with reddish brown coloured juice (5.8 ml volume) in A. marginata, while it is short, compact and fleshy with greenish brown coloured juice (3.2 ml volume) in A. achatina. The digestive gland was heavier (17.36 vs. 15.74 g) in the latter than the former. The absolute weight of the crop in A. marginata was significantly (p<0.05) higher than in A. Achatina, however, the absolute and relative weights of the digestive gland in A. achatina was significantly (p<0.05) higher than in A. marginata. There were significant (p<0.05) differences in linear measurements of the salivary gland and crop for absolute values and the salivary gland, crop, stomach and digestive gland for relative values. Archachatina marginata had significantly (p<0.05) longer salivary gland and crop than Achatina achatina for absolute length values and significantly (p<0.05) longer salivary gland, crop and digestive gland for relative length values. However, the relative stomach length in A. achatina was significantly (p<0.05) longer than in A. marginata. The gut pH was more acidic in the crop (5.38 and 4.83) than in the mouth (6.93 and 6.82) where it tended towards neutrality in A. marginata and A. achatina respectively. The pH profiles in the two species, decreased by 1.65 and 1.99 from the mouth to the crop while it increased by 1.46 and 1.97 from the crop to the distal digestive gland in A. marginata and A. achatina respectively. In the herbivorous snails, the pH along the gut regions remained acidic all through (5.38 – 6.93 and 4.83 – 6.82) in A. marginata and A. achatina respectively, confirming the herbivorous habits in these snail species. The longer gut and distended crop with higher volume of crop juice in A. marginata, implies its ability to store, utilize and digest more food materials than A. achatina. These results provide the basis for a better understanding of the physiology of the digestive processes in these snails.

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (Suppl.1) ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
G. Penchev

The aim of the study was an evaluation of the age related development of bronze turkey's bursa of Fabricius. The obtained data gave information about the standard actual values of the metric parameters in the investigated organ. The bursa of sixty healthy clinically bronze turkeys (30 males and 30 females) was studied metrically by ruler, graph paper and automatic balance. The birds were distributed in 10 age related groups at the 1, 7, 14, 28, 35, 49, 56, 90, 120 and 240 days. Each group consisted of 6 turkeys. The absolute and relative weight, length, perimeter and diameter of the organ were determined. During the period the absolute weight of the bronze turkeys' bursa increased by 76.5 times, the absolute length – 3.5 times. The relative weight of the organ was with the highest values at the 14 days of age. The relative length reached peak values at the 1 day. The relative perimeter was highest at 7 days. The obtained results gave a motivation to make the conclusion that the development of the bronze turkey bursa of Fabricius weight and length were highest from hatching to the sexual maturity.


Author(s):  
Geoff H Baker

ABSTRACT Two Mediterranean snails, Theba pisana and Cernuella virgata, are agricultural pests in southern Australia. The two species are rarely found together in large numbers in the field, at small scales (&lt;1 m2). In laboratory experiments, the presence of T. pisana reduced the survival of C. virgata, but only when food (carrot + lettuce) was provided. When C. virgata was exposed to only the mucus trails and faeces of T. pisana, produced while feeding on lettuce, both the survival and activity of C. virgata were reduced. When carrot was substituted for lettuce, there was less effect. In addition, when C. virgata was exposed to T. pisana’s faeces only, derived from access to a mix of lettuce and carrot, there was no effect on C. virgata’s survival. The observed reductions in the survival of C. virgata were stronger in autumn (the breeding season for both snail species) compared with spring. Inhibitory components within the mucus trails of T. pisana may (1) help explain the observed distribution patterns of the two species at small scales in the field and (2) provide a novel method for control of pest populations of C. virgata, in some situations.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nattaphop Noothuan ◽  
Kantamas Apitanyasai ◽  
Somsak Panha ◽  
Anchalee Tassanakajon

Abstract Objective Snails secrete different types of mucus that serve several functions, and are increasingly being exploited for medical and cosmetic applications. In this study, we explored the protein pattern and compared the biological properties of the mucus secreted from the mantle collar and foot of two snail species, Lissachatina fulica and Hemiplecta distincta. Result Protein profile showed a different pattern between the two species and between the two secretory parts. The mantle-specific protein bands were further characterized and among them was an antibacterial protein, achacin. Accordingly, the mucus from the mantle exhibited the higher antibacterial activity than that from the foot in both snail species. The mucus from H. distincta, first reported here, also showed antibacterial properties, but with a lower activity compared to that for L. fulica. Snail mucus also exhibited anti-tyrosinase activity and antioxidant activity but with no significant difference between the foot and mantle mucus. These results indicate some different protein compositions and biological activities of snail slime from the mantle and foot, which might be associated with their specific functions in the animal and are useful for medical applications.


1867 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 320-321

The author began by mentioning the principal variations found in the order Primates, as to the absolute and relative length of the pectoral limb with and without the manus; and then taking each bone separately, described the modifications undergone by each in all the genera of the order; as also the relative size of the segments and bones of the limb compared to each other and to the spine. The pelvic limb was then similarly treated of, and, in addition, its segments and bones were compared with the homo-typal segments and bones of the pectoral limb. The author after this reconsidered the question as to the use of the terms “hand” and “foot,” and the applicability of the term “Quadru-manous” to Apes and Lemuroids.


2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 223-232
Author(s):  
Baghdad Science Journal

The present study is considered a pioneer investigation that deal with the terrestrial brown garden snail Cornu aspersum (Müller), in Iraq. Cornu aspersum however is considered an exotic species in many parts of the world ,The species is most probably infiltrates with plants transferred from one place to another. The species has gained importance in many ways. Nutritionally, the species is consumed as food item in many countries, but in other cases it is considered as pest for the damage it causes when feeding on valuable plant shoots. It also has medical importance for its role and ability in healing wounds, burns and remedy of other skin problems. This snail species however may act as a vector for some parasitic nematodes that cause serious diseases. The species is also important in scientific research, usually referred to as ‘ecological indicator’ employed in environmental pollution problems such as the one caused by heavy metals. A great deal of research on this species has been carried out in different parts of the world, however, in Iraq, the scientific attention given to land snails in general and to Cornu aspersum in particular is rare and may be negligible in comparison with the research carried out on aquatic Mollusca species. A total of 1880 individuals of Cornu aspersum were collected from all sampling sites. The study was carried out for the period November 2007 to November 2008 on three sites within the Jadiriya district in Baghdad.. Growth, size classes and shell dimensions of Cornu aspersum populations, and their relationship with major environmental factors; ambient temperature; soil pH, moisture, texture; and the soil content of organic matter have been also investigated. Identification of the species was confirmed by the British Natural History Museum.The data were analyzed by means of standard statistical procedures.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 97
Author(s):  
Muhammad Zambawi ◽  
Ahmad Fahrul Syarif ◽  
Robin Robin

This research aimed to evaluated the growth performance of eyespot rasbora (Brevibora dorsiocellata) feeding with different feed in cultured conditions on early stage of domestication. The fishes was collected from river among Balunijuk Village, Bangka Residence. It’s conducted on February until March 2019 at  Laboratory of Aquaculture Sub-Laboratory of Hatchery, University of Bangka Belitung. A kinds of feed on this tretment was blood worms (Tubificidae) and commercial feed (pellet). The parameters observed in this research was surival rates, absolute weight and length and feed consumptions level. The result showed that the survival value ranged on 90-100%., the absolute weight was 0,12±0,02 until 0,17±0,02 grams, the absolute length was 0,69±0,17 until 0,79±0,06 cm and a feed consumptions level was 10±0,58 until 11±1,00 gram. In common, the eyespot rasbora (Brevibora dorsiocellata) showed the postively responses on early stage of domestications with different feed on cultured medium.Keywords : Bangka Island, Brevibora dosrsiocellata, Domestication, Eyespot Rasbora


1967 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-122
Author(s):  
R. A. RING

1. It has been shown that photoperiod has a direct effect on the larva of Lucilia casear L. in the induction of diapause. 2. Transference of larvae from long to short photoperiod conditions during the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd instar increases their tendency to enter diapause. Conversely, transfer from short to long photoperiod conditions decreases their tendency to enter diapause. 3. Larvae are sensitive to changes in the absolute length of the photoperiod during all instars. The reaction is not restricted to any one stage but tends to be cumulative; thus the earlier the larvae are transferred from one photoperiod regime to another then the greater the contrast in diapause incidence between experimental groups and controls.


2020 ◽  
Vol 94 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Chantima ◽  
C. Rika

Abstract Edible viviparid snails are suspected to be the source of human echinostomiasis in Thailand, but little is known about the prevalence of viviparid snail parasitization by echinostomes in snails sold for human consumption in wet markets. Here, the prevalence of echinostome metacercariae and the association between parasitic intensity and host size, as well as the relationship to host species, were investigated. In total, 1100 viviparid snails belonging to four species (Cipangopaludina annandalei, Filopaludina martensi martensi, F. sumatrensis polygramma and F. doliaris) were obtained from wet markets in Chiang Rai Province, Northern Thailand. All snail species were found to be infected with echinostome metacercariae with total prevalence and mean intensity values of 16.5% and 16.4, respectively. The metacercariae of the avian trematode, Thapariella anastomusa were found in Filopaludina spp. snails. Interestingly, C. annandalei identified in this study had not previously been considered a food source and this is the first report of echinostome metacercaria in this snail species. Results confirmed the role of C. annandalei as the second intermediate host of the trematode; however, the species identity of these echinostomes remains unclear. Comparative morphology of these metacercariae and their adult stage require further study, and molecular markers are necessary to confirm their identification. Prevalence and intensity of echinostomes metacercariae was significantly associated with snail species.


1993 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars Fröberg ◽  
Anette Baur ◽  
Bruno Baur

AbstractA laboratory experiment was conducted to determine the damage caused by snail grazing to 35 calcicolous lichen species and cyanobacteria from the Baltic island of Oland, Sweden. Individuals of four species of land snails (Balea perversa, Chondrina cliema, Clausilia bidentata and Helicigona lapicida) were allowed to graze on identified lichen species growing on pieces of limestone. Snail grazing on thalli and ascocarps was classified into four categories ranging from no damage to completely eaten. In general, some lichen species were heavily grazed, whereas others were only slightly damaged or not injured. Aspiciha calcarea, Tephromela atra and Verrucaria nigrescens were preferred by all snail species except Chondrina cliema. In general, lichen thalli that were not immersed in the calcareous rock and cyanobacteria were preferred, whereas ascocarps were avoided by one of the snail species (C. clienta). Immersed perithecia with a carbonized outer layer were avoided by all snail species except C. bidentata. Possibilities of chemical and mechanical defence properties in calcicolous lichens are discussed.


2015 ◽  
Vol 282 (1804) ◽  
pp. 20143063 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuki Kimura ◽  
Satoshi Chiba

Several taxa of simultaneously hermaphroditic land snails exhibit a conspicuous mating behaviour, the so-called shooting of love darts. During mating, such land snail species transfer a specific secretion by stabbing a mating partner's body with the love dart. It has been shown that sperm donors benefit from this traumatic secretion transfer, because the secretions manipulate the physiology of a sperm recipient and increase the donors' fertilization success. However, it is unclear whether reception of dart shooting is costly to the recipients. Therefore, the effect of sexual conflict and antagonistic arms races on the evolution of traumatic secretion transfer in land snails is still controversial. To examine this effect, we compared lifetime fecundity and longevity between the individuals that received and did not receive dart shooting from mating partners in Bradybaena pellucida . Our experiments showed that the dart-receiving snails suffered reduction in lifetime fecundity and longevity. These results suggest that the costly mating behaviour, dart shooting, generates conflict between sperm donors and recipients and that sexually antagonistic arms races have contributed to the diversification of the morphological and behavioural traits relevant to dart shooting. Our findings also support theories suggesting a violent escalation of sexual conflict in hermaphroditic animals.


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