Authors: O A Jaiyeola, K O Ademolu, A A Ogunjinmi, A J Meduna
Nig. J. Anim. Prod. 2009, 36(1): 161-166
Abstract
The impact of growth phases on the haemolymph biochemical value of African giant land snail Archachatina marginata was studied. The growth phases were: snailet, juvenile and Adult based on
the number of whorls on the shell and weight of the snails. Highest concentration of glucose and lipids were recorded at the juvenile phase (40.20mg/dl and 48.60mg/dl). While least values for glucose (20.00mg/dl) and lipids (37.80mg/dl) were recorded during snailet and adult phases respectively. A progressive increase in the concentration of protein was observed as the snails moved from snailet phase to adult phase; hence snails in adult phase had the highest concentration of protein in their haemolymph. Growth phases significantly (P < 0.05) affected the haemolymph mineral composition of the snails. Juvenile phases had the highest values in Ca2,PO43 and Na, while the adult phase recorded the least concentration in Ca2, Na and Cl-1. Juvenile growth phase of A. marginata thus has better haemolymph biochemical values than both snailet and adult growth phases.
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