Journal of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine

JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND VETERINARY MEDICINE
Integrity Research Journals

ISSN: 2536-7099
Model: Open Access/Peer Reviewed
DOI: 10.31248/JASVM
Start Year: 2016
Email: jasvm@integrityresjournals.org

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Comparative study of phenotypic traits and growth patterns in two ectotypes of giant African land snails (Archachatina marginata) in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

https://doi.org/10.31248/JASVM2024.496   |   Article Number: AF054CEB10   |   Vol.9 (5) - October 2024

Received Date: 19 September 2024   |   Accepted Date: 25 October 2024  |   Published Date: 30 October 2024

Authors:  Owoidihe Monday Etukudo* , Lawrance Enyioha Okonko , Ekerette Emmanuel Ekerette , Eke-Abasi Iniobong Johnson and Bassey Okon

Keywords: Snails, growth, traits., phenotypic, Comparative, ectotype

ABSTRACT

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This study investigated phenotypic traits in 400 Archachatina marginata snails, comprising 200 black-skinned and 200 white-skinned ectotypes with 2, 3, 4, and 5 whorls. Black-skinned snails were sourced from the Mkpatak market, while white-skinned snails were collected from the surrounding bush in Essien Udim Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The research was conducted at the Animal House of the Department of Biological Sciences (Biotechnology Unit) at Topfaith University, Mkpatak. Data on traits such as body weight, shell length, shell width, mouth shell length, and mouth shell width were collected to compare phenotypic traits, evaluate growth patterns, and perform correlation analyses. Results showed highly significant differences (p<0.001) in all phenotypic traits between the ectotypes across all whorl categories. Growth patterns were irregular; white-skinned snails with 2 and 3 whorls exhibited rapid initial growth, while black-skinned snails outpaced them at 4 and 5 whorls. Correlation analyses indicated strong, positive, and significant (p<0.001) correlations among most traits, except for some pairs involving mouth shell width, which showed insignificant correlations (p>0.05) in 4 and 5 whorls of white-skinned snails. These findings suggest a direct association among phenotypic traits, implying that selecting one trait could enhance other related growth traits. For further research, snails with 6 and 7 whorls should also be evaluated for their traits and growth patterns.

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