The effect of diamox at two dietary calcium levels on growth, shell thickness and distribution of Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, P in the tissues of the snail Achatina fulica

Abstract

1. Studies over a 12 week period showed Achatina to decrease in whole body weight, food intake and faecal output in proportion to the dose of diamox in the diet. 2. Mortality was low and was almost confined to the diamox/low Ca diet snails. 3. Diamox and Ca influenced the excretion of P and Ca. Maximum excretion of Mg, Zn and Cu occurred in snails not on Ca-supplemented diets. 4. Total amount of all five metals excreted was reduced with diamox and enhanced with Ca, particularly after 10–12 weeks of experimentation. 5. High diamox/low Ca inhibited all metal loss except Ca from the digestive gland and Cu, Zn from foot tissue. 6. High diamox/high Ca had the greatest influence on the retention of tissue Ca. 7. Under the conditions of high diamox treatment there was shell thinning and low Ca, but increased Mg.