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Effects of two edible fruits on the growth performance of African giant land snail (archachatina marginata swainson)

2008; Linguagem: Inglês

1990-6145

Oghenerioborue Mary Agbogidi, B.C. Okonta, E.L. Ezeana,

Mollusks and Parasites Studies

This study evaluated the effects of two edible fruits: banana and pawpaw fruits on the growth performance of the African giant land snail (Archachatina marginata). The study was conducted in Asaba, Delta State , Nigeria in 2007. The snails were fed on both the unripe and ripe banana and pawpaw fruits, which served as the treatments over a period of 12 weeks. Results showed that significant differences (P <or= 0.05) existed in the snails (in terms of weight, length and width of the snail shell as well as the dry matter intake) fed on both the unripe and ripe fruits. On the whole, Archachatina marginata fed on ripe banana fruits performed significantly (P <or= 0.05) better when compared with those fed on the unripe banana, and the unripe and ripe pawpaw. This study has demonstrated that different edible fruits have significant effects on the growth performance of Archachatina marginata with the snails performing better when fed on ripe banana fruits. Ripe banana fruits are therefore, recommended to snail farmers in the rural areas of Nigeria for optimum growth of A. marginata.