Phenotypic Correlations and Body Weight Prediction of Two Ectotypes of Giant African Land Snails (Archachatina maginata, Swain.) Based on Number of Whorls in Calabar, Nigeria

Background: Giant African land snail (Archachatina marginata) is a micro livestock with potentials as a protein source especially among impoverished individuals. As such, it requires much research attention to fully unveil it genetic nature for possible improvements.

Materials and Methods: Two hundred (200) snails consisting of one hundred (100) each of black-skinned ectotype and white-skinned ectotype were selected based on number of whorls from a population gathered in the wild within Cross River State for the study. Data collected on number of whorls from the two ectotypes of snails were used for predicting body weights from phenotypic traits.

Results: The black-skinned ectotype body weight ranged from 0.70 g to 153.90 g, while the white-skinned ectotype body weight ranged from 0.60 g to 72.10 g. The results obtained from the study showed positive, strong and very high significant correlation coefficients (p<0.001) between body weights and all body components measured based on 2 and 3 whorls for the two ectotypes of A. marginata. A non-significant (p>0.05) phenotypic correlation was recorded for white-skinned ectotype with 4 whorls between mouth shell width and all the body components measured. Whereas a non-significant (p>0.05) phenotypic correlation was only recorded for mouth shell width and mouth shell length of 5 whorls for white-skinned snails. Prediction equations for the body weight of A. marginata with 2, 3, 4 and 5 whorls using body shell length, body shell width, mouth shell length and mouth shell width best predicted accurately body weight for the two ectotypes of snails with 2, 3, 4, and 5 whorls.

Conclusion: These phenotypic traits of the two ectotypes of snails studied could be chosen to characterize growing snails in Calabar, Nigeria.