Abstract

Snails are fascinating creatures that fairly easy to keep and require little attention. In Nigeria, snails constitute important component of the food of the numerous rural dwellers and served in classed restaurants and at special fairs. In this study, the phenotypic traits of Archachatina marginata marginata were assessed. A total of 93 snails were purchased at three main markets in each local government area of the derived savannah zone of Ogun State. Data collected include: Distance between suture (DBS) 1^st and 2^nd, DBS 2^nd and 3^rd, DBS 3^rd and 4^th, Shell Length (SL), Shell Width (SW), Snail Height (SH), Aperture Length (AL), Aperture Width (AW), Shell Mouth Thickness (SMT), Live Weight (LW). The mean SL and SW is 10.18+ 1.05cm, 4.71+0.45cm respectively. The mean AL and AW is 3.77+0.25cm, 5.61+0.43cm respectively. The mean SH was 4.53+3.94cm. The mean SLW is 116.3+88.04g. The snail live weight was positively correlated with all the body parameters. Live weight was positively and highly correlated with distance between 1^st & 2^nd suture (0.099), 2^nd & 3^rd (0.088), 3^rd & 4^th (0.057). It is positively and highly significantly correlated with shell width (0.259) and aperture width (0.231). Therefore, improving for one trait (SLW) there will definitely be an improvement in the other phenotypic traits. It is therefore recommended that Archachatina marginata marginata should be reared for higher live weight.

Key Word: Archachatina marginata marginata, Snail live weight, Snail height, Suture

DOI: https://ejesm.org/doi/v10i10.8