Authors: O A Jaiyeola, K O Ademolu, A A Ogunjinmi, A J Meduna
Ethiop. J Biol. Sci., 8(2): 165-170, 2009
Abstract
The growth performance and the activities of glycosidases (amylase, cellulase and a-glucosidase) in the foot muscle of giant land snail, Archachatna marginata were examined during aestivation.
Aestivation significantly affected the growth performance of the snails as active snails gained l6.4±0.02g while the aestivated snails lost 15.5±0.Ig. Three glycosidases were detected in the foot muscle of the snails at varying levels: 33-37 Abs/min (a-glucosidase), 11-15 Abs/min (amylase) and 28-31 Abs/min (cellulase) with the active snails having significantly higher activities (Abs/min) in a-glucosidase and cellulase. Aestivation thus significantly affects the foot muscle activities of A.marginata.