Abstract
Snails are the second largest group of invertebrates after insects and make a major part of the world's fauna. There are 35,000 described species of land snails (subclass: Pulmonata) from class gastropods in the world. With the present scenario of climate change, their occurrence has been observed many-fold. Despite their economic importance, population diversity and distribution of these creatures on different host crops in Punjab Pakistan is not much more studies. For this purpose, the present study was conducted to identify the snail species and their diversity on different hosts in the agroecosystems of Multan. The snails were collected from different crops like wheat, vegetable (spinach), fodder, citrus orchard, and plant nurseries. A total of 8264 specimens were collected and preserved in the form of a dry shell and 70% alcohol in Ecology Lab, MNS - the University of Agriculture, Multan for identification purpose. The preserved specimens were identified under microscope using available taxonomic keys. Ariophanta bistrialis ceylanica, Ariophanta bistrialis cylix, Ariophanta solata, Oxychilus draparnaudi, Monacha catiana, Cernuella virgata, Pupoides abilabris and Oxyloma elegans were identified during the study. The highest and lowest population of Ariophanta bistrialis cylix (1592) and Ariophanta solata (446), respectively was recorded. The population diversity was found maximum in plant nurseries followed by fodder crop (Berseem) and citrus orchard while least in vegetable (Spinach) and wheat crop. The maximum population was found in July and August, while least in March and May. In the rainy season, the population of snails was recorded maximum as compared to the dry season.
Highlights
Snails belong to the invertebrate Phylum Mollusca of animals that live in a variety of habitats including marine to freshwater and terrestrial landscapes around the globe
Snails were collected from district Multan (Tehsil Multan and Tehsil Shujabad)
Ariophanta bistrialis cylix were found maximum in number (1592) followed by Cernuella virgata, Oxychilus draparnaudi, Oxyloma elegans, Monacha catiana, Ariophanta bistrialis ceylanica, Pupoides abilabris and Ariophanta solata was (1566, 1361, 1201, 859, 639, 600 and 446) elaborated in table 1
Summary
Snails belong to the invertebrate Phylum Mollusca of animals that live in a variety of habitats including marine to freshwater and terrestrial landscapes around the globe. Gastropods are snails that inhabit the land. About 35000 species of land snails have been recognized (Sallam and Al-Wakeil, 2012). These are nocturnal in nature and its populations are well established on moist and shady areas because they prefer to live in high Relative Humidity. Their diversity depends on climatic fluctuations and seasonal variation. The climate factors such as temperature and humidity affect the population and species diversity of snails (Nunes et al, 2012)
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