eprintid: 7841
rev_number: 8
eprint_status: archive
userid: 3393
dir: disk0/00/00/78/41
datestamp: 2017-02-23 12:37:07
lastmod: 2017-02-23 12:37:07
status_changed: 2017-02-23 12:37:07
type: article
metadata_visibility: show
creators_name: Ademolu, K. O.
creators_name: FANTOLA, F.O.
creators_name: Bamidele, J.A
creators_name: Dedeke, G. A.
creators_name: Idowu, A.B
title: Formation and composition of epiphragm in three giant African
land snails (Archachatina marginata, Achatina fulica and
Achatina achatina)
ispublished: pub
subjects: Q1
subjects: QH301
divisions: sch_bio
full_text_status: public
abstract: Aestivation is the state of dormancy that
occurs in snails when the weather condition is harsh,
either dry season or warm season. During this period,
the giant African land snails form epiphragm, sealing
the aperture of the shell which serves as water preservative
strategies, preventing mechanical damage of the
inner soft tissues. A study on the formation and mineral
composition of the epiphragm in three species of giant
African land snails namely: Achatina achatina, Achatina
fulica and Archachatina marginata was carried
out. Twenty matured snails were used for this experiment.
They were induced into aestivation by withdrawing
food and water. The snail weight, shell length,
aperture length, and epiphragm weight were measured
during aestivation as well as duration of epiphragm
formation. The ionic concentration (calcium, iron and
phosphorus) of the epiphragm was also analyzed. The
morphometric analysis showed that A. marginata
formed the heaviest epiphragm while the least was
formed by A. fulica during aestivation. Analysis of the
ions revealed that calcium was the most abundant ion
in the epiphragm of the snails. Comparison of mean
values reveals that A. achatina has the highest ionic
composition in the epiphragm when compared to other
species. Regression analysis (r2) revealed that a positive
relationship existed between the aperture length
and days for epiphragm formation (+0.62) on one hand
and between weight of epiphragm formed and the days
of its formation on the other hand (+0.77).
date: 2016-09-18
date_type: published
publication: Ruthenica
volume: 26
number: 3
pagerange: 165-169.
refereed: TRUE
official_url: http: //www.ruthenica.com
citation:   Ademolu, K. O. and FANTOLA, F.O. and Bamidele, J.A and Dedeke, G. A. and Idowu, A.B  (2016) Formation and composition of epiphragm in three giant African land snails (Archachatina marginata, Achatina fulica and Achatina achatina).  Ruthenica, 26 (3).  165-169..      
document_url: http://eprints.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/7841/1/snail%20epiphragm%20Ruthenica%20final%202016%20%281%29.pdf