Abstract
In order to preserve and conserve the Giant African Land Snails, a study was carried out between September 2015 and January 2017 at the University of Buea (South-West Region, Cameroon), to assess the effect of protein level on the characteristics of growth of Achatina achatina in captivity. 90 young snails of one month old, weighing between 1 and 1.5 g, of shell length between 15.5-23.85 mm and shell diameter between 12.60-16.85 mm and free from wounds or shell defects were divided into 3 groups of 5 snails each and 6 replicates in cages equipped with feeders and drinking troughs. Each treatment was randomly assigned to one of the experimental feed with variable protein levels (20, 22 and 24%) in addition to pawpaw leaves as a staple feed. These were previously weighed as well as the remnants using a 0.5g precision balance. The cultured substrates were watered daily (0.50 liter/substrate). At the beginning of the test, and then every week, the snails were weighed, and shell measurements done using a digital caliper of 0.05 mm accuracy. The animals were monitored for fourteen months. The results show that feed intake (3.01±1.57), weight gain (24.50±5.72), daily weight gain (0.058±0.016), gain of shell length (30.26±4.19) were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in snails receiving 24% protein in the diet compared to snails from the other treatments. The highest consumption index was recorded in snails receiving 20% protein in the diet but the statistical analyses did not find any significant difference. In conclusion, the protein level of 24% can be retained in the diet of growing snails.
Highlights
African fauna is an important source of animal protein (Ajayi, 1997)
The effects of the protein level on the growth characteristics are summarized in Table 2 and illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 below
The lowest consumption index was obtained in animals receiving 22% protein; statistical analysis revealed no significant difference (P > 0.05)
Summary
African fauna is an important source of animal protein (Ajayi, 1997). In the Congo Basin, this meat represents 30 to 80% of the animal protein supplied in families living in forests (Koppert et al, 1996). The continued availability of this important food source is threatened by over-exploitation coupled with ecosystem degradation. Increasing demand due to the population explosion and the popularity of bushmeat among the population is leading to the decline of African wildlife today, and is a serious threat to survival of species and biodiversity (Aboua, 1990; Ajayi, 1997). There is a lucrative bushmeat trade, sometimes due to the lack of a viable economic alternative that can sustain the survival of village populations (Kenfack et al, 2007)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
