The influence of diet and isolation on growth and survival in the land snail Bulimulus tenuissimus (Mollusca: Bulimulidae) in laboratory

Abstract

Feed influences directly growth and survival in land snails. Here, we investigate the influence of diet and isolation on growth and survival in Bulimulus tenuissimus (d'Orbigny, 1835) in the laboratory. Animals were maintained individually and in groups and three different types of diets: lettuce, ration and both lettuce and ration (mixed diet) for 210 days. Isolated animals, in all diet types, grew more rapidly than grouped animals. Also, snails fed with lettuce grew most slowly in isolated or grouped treatments. Within isolated or grouped treatments, growth rates were similar for the ration and the mixed diet. Mortality rate was higher in animals fed on lettuce only, in both density treatments. Thus, diet and density are important components of the population dynamics of B. tenuissimus.

Identificação, Estimativa Populacional E Deslocamento De Caracóis Em Borbulheiras De Plantas Cítricas

“…Esta espécie não é comum causando problemas em ambientes agrícolas abertos, porém, no caso do presente trabalho, em cultivos protegidos em casa-de-vegetação, registrouse pela primeira vez danos causados por esta espécie. (MEIRELES et al, 2008;SILVA et al, 2009). Não obstante, os caracóis dessa espécie também sobem nas plantas cítricas, causando os mesmos problemas que a espécie anterior.…”

Growth rate of Chilostoma faustinum (Rossmässler, 1835) (Gastropoda: Pulmonata: Helicidae) under natural conditions

“…Although observations of growth of land snails in the wild (e.g. TERHIVUO 1978, BAUR & RABOUD 1988, MALTZ 2003, KUZNIK-KOWALSKA & ROKSELA 2009, SULIKOWSKA-DROZD 2010 are less numerous than analogous observations under laboratory conditions (CAMERON & CARTER 1979, BAUR 1986, 1989, POKRYSZKO 1990, KUZNIK--KOWALSKA 1999, THAKUR 2004, MEIRELES et al 2008, MYZYK 2011 and many others), yet their results are more applicable for purposes of environmental protection and natural resources management.…”

Reproduction of <i>Omalonyx matheroni</i> (Gastropoda: Succineidae) under laboratory conditions

“…Laboratory studies on the life history of pulmonates are considered to be extremely important for developing an understanding of their complex reproductive processes and determining the environmental factors that influence them (Gomot de Vaufleury 2001, Heller 2001. Influences of temperature, photoperiod and rearing density (individuals raised in isolation or in a group) on reproduction have been demonstrated in several pulmonate species, including succineids (Enee et al 1982, South 1992, Gomot de Vaufleury 2001, Hommay et al 2001, Meireles et al 2008, Dillen et al 2009). …”