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Effect of temperature and photoperiod on growth and reproduction of Helix aspersa var. maxima

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 1998

S. JESS  and
R. J. MARKS
S. JESS
Affiliation:
Applied Plant Science Division, Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland, Newforge Lane, Belfast BT9 5PX, UK
R. J. MARKS
Affiliation:
Applied Plant Science Division, Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland, Newforge Lane, Belfast BT9 5PX, UK Department of Applied Plant Science, Queen's University of Belfast, Newforge Lane, Belfast BT9 5PX, UK
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Abstract

Growth and reproduction of the snail Helix aspersa (Müller) var. maxima were examined at four combinations of temperature and artificial photoperiod and in transparent and opaque containers at two temperatures for over 40 weeks. Effects of temperature on both processes predominated. However, following 10 weeks of oviposition at optimum temperature (20°C), absence of photoperiod inhibited egg-laying throughout a further 15 weeks. Following inhibition of oviposition, the albumen gland atrophied, indicating the storage of secretory products.

Snail growth was improved by rearing in opaque rather than transparent containers in a long-day photoperiod. Snail oviposition was unaffected by container type throughout a 28-week period, demonstrating an acute perception of photoperiodicity by snails maintained at low light intensity.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 130 , Issue 3 , May 1998 , pp. 367 - 372
Copyright
© 1998 Cambridge University Press

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