Archachatina Marginata Research Articles

Mineral and proximate composition of the meat and shell of three snail species

Meat is a vital source of nutrients for human wellbeing and health; however, recent studies suggest a decline in meat preference as a protein source due to some health problems associated with meat intake. This study evaluates the levels of essential elements (Mn, Mg, P, Ca, K, Cu, Na, Zn and Fe) and proximate composition (protein, fat, moisture, carbohydrate, fibre and ash) of three snail species namely; Achatina achatina, Achatina fulica and Archachatina marginata species from the Kumasi Central Market. The mineral content and proximate composition of the three land snail species' shell and meat were analysed using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry and other Standard Methods of Analysis. The study revealed that the three snail species differed in the composition of significant nutrients and trace elements in meat. It is evident from this study that the consumption of snail meat can promote good human health, with Archachatina marginata having the best nutritional value. In the meat from the three snail species, a strong significant positive correlation between Ca and P levels was observed, and the Cu and Fe (p < 0.05). In both the proximate and mineral analysis, each meat parameter was correspondingly higher than that of the shell for all the snail species, except for ash and Ca contents. The estimated daily intakes of Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu were lower compared with the tolerable daily intake, suggesting that the essential elements are at acceptable levels. Therefore, consumers of these land snails will gain the benefits of the proximate and mineral constituents. The shells can also be utilised as food supplements for livestock and eliminate the burden of managing snail shell waste.

Comparison Of Proximate Composition And Mineral Elements Of Archachatina Marginata And Achatina Achatina Meat Fed Natural Feed And Supplemented Diets

Two different breeds of snail, Archachatina Marginata (AM), Achatina Achatina (AA), were analyzed for proximate composition and mineral profile of the snail flesh. Proximate analysis of the snail flesh revealed that moisture was highest in Archachatina achatina (84.44%) and least in Archachatina marginata (73.14%). The result revealed that snail meat (Archachatina marginata and Achatina achatina) were found to contain; 12.85% and 15.63% of Protein, 7.41% and 4.08% of Ash content, 2.57% and 2.20% of fat content, 73.14% and 84.4% of Moisture content, 0.25% and 0.14% of Crude fibre content respectively. The result of the mineral content of the snail (Archachatina marginata and Achatina achatina) was found to be 316.67mg/100g of calcium, 24.00mg/100g and 12mg/100g of magnesium, 166mg/100g and 176.33mg/100g of phosphorus, 0.6167mg/100g and 0.5767mg/100g of Copper, 0.35mg/100g and 0.3067mg/100g of iron and 1.24mg/100g and 1.19mg/100g of Zinc respectively. The results of this study revealed that, the meat of Achatina achatina has the highest source of protein and moisture content but low in crude fibre and fat contents. Keywords; Snail meats, Minerals, Feed, Proximate, diets, Archachatina marginata, Achatina achatina.

Biochemical and Histomorphological Impact of a Potential Chlorate Pesticide Agent on Tissues of the Giant African Land Snail (Archachatina marginata) as Indication of Toxicity

Biochemical and Histomorphological Impact of a Potential Chlorate Pesticide Agent on Tissues of the Giant African Land Snail (Archachatina marginata) as Indication of Toxicity

Effect of common salt (NaCl) on reproductive tract dimension, haemolymph haemocyte count and biochemical parameters of Giant African Land snail (A. marginata) during dry season

A study was conducted on the effect of common salt (NaCl) on reproductive tract dimension, haemolymph haemocyte count and biochemical parameters of Giant African Land snail (GALs), Archachatina marginata during the dry season. Forty (40) snails with a weight range of 150 g–180 g were used for this study. Four (4) treatment with each consisting of ten (10) replicates were assigned as follows: T1 (Control: concentrate +0 g of salt (NaCl)), T2 (concentrate +0.05 g of salt (NaCl)), T3 (concentrate+0.15 g of salt (NaCl) and T4 (concentrate + 0.25 of salt (NaCl)). The experiment lasted 13 weeks. Haemolymph was collected at the end of 13 weeks to assess haemocyte count, total protein, albumin, globulin, alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST). The haemocyte count was determined using a Neubeur haemocytometer, while haemolymph biochemical parameters were determined using spectrophotometric methods with the appropriate kit. The snails were also dissected for complete isolation of the reproductive tract for morphometric measurements. Key organs concerned were: Ovo-testis, albumen, little hermaphrodite duct and hepatopancreas. The weight and length of each of these organs were taken together with complete tract weight. Ovo-testis from each treatment was also harvested for histology. A mortality record was taken as the experiment progresses. The result showed that serum biochemical parameters were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by a various inclusion level of salt used. But it had a significant effect on ovotesis length, albumen weight, little hermaphrodite weight and reproductive tract weight. However, no significant effect was seen in ovotestis weight, albumen length, little hermaphrodite length and hepatopancreas weight and length. It was also discovered that common salt (NaCl) significantly affected (P < 0.01) haemocyte count and mortality record of GALS. Snails fed 0.25 g NaCl had the highest haemocyte count, followed by those fed 0.15 g, while snails fed 0 g and 0.05 g recorded the least value. It was also discovered that 0 g NaCl inclusion into the diet of snail (A. marginata) recorded the highest mortality (60 %) followed by 0.05 g NaCl inclusion level which gave 30 % mortality. However, the inclusion level of 0.15 g and 0.25 g NaCl into snail feed recorded no mortality. Histological evaluation of the ovotestis revealed that snail given 0.25 g inclusion into the concentrate diet had active acini with spermatogonium and well-formed oocyte, followed by those group with 0.15 g with active acini with several ova. It is obvious from this study that NaCl had an immune-modulatory influence on GAS during the dry season via mitigation of mortality without negatively affecting the haemolymph biochemical parameter. Inclusion used in this study also boost reproductive apparatus functions which are usually not active during this period. It is therefore recommended that both 0.15 g and 0.25 g/kg be included into the diet of A. marginata during the dry season to mitigate challenges that confront snail farming during the period to boost production and reduce economic losses due to mortality during this season.

Prevalence of Shigella spp and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Select Commercially Processed Meat Products

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Shigella spp and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in some selected commercially processed ready-to-eat snail (Archachatina marginata) and edible worm (Rhynchophorus phoenicis).&#x0D; Study Design: Cross-sectional analysis.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Samples were obtained from vendors along the Benin-Sapele express road, South-South Nigeria, over a two months period (November to December, 2019).&#x0D; Methodology: The enumeration of total heterotrophic counts, total Shigella counts and total Staphylococcus aureus counts were done using nutrient agar, Salmonella Shigella agar and mannitol salt agar respectively. All isolates were further identified by their cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics. Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus were identified using methicillin-oxacillin agar, while the antibiogramic profile of selected isolates and their multidrug resistant profile were done according to the CSLI guideline.&#x0D; Results: The mean heterotrophic bacterial counts (THCs) obtained in Rhynchophorus phoenicis ranged from 0.00 × 10³ ± 0.00 cfu/g to 500.00 × 10³ ± 0.00 cfu/g, while the mean THCs obtained in Archachatina marginata ranged from 13.3 × 10³ ± 1.15 cfu/g to 500 × 10³ ± 0.00 cfu/g. The total Staphylococcus aureus obtained in Rhynchophorus phoenicis was between 0.00 × 10³ ± 0.00 cfu/g to 294 × 10³ ± 4.7 cfu/g and the Shigella bacteria counts from 0.00 × 10³ ± 0.00 cfu/g to 258 × 10³ ± 14.64 cfu/g. The antibiogram of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from both Rhynchophorus phoenicis and Archachatina marginata, found the majority of isolates (96.67%) to be resistant to ceftazidime and cefuroxime, while 83.33% of the isolates were sensitive to ofloxacin. All Staphylococcus isolates were resistant to ceftriaxone, cloxacillin and amoxycillin clavulanate. The multidrug resistant index recorded was between 37.5 and 100. All Staphylococcus (9) isolates tested for methicillin resistance was observed to be positive.&#x0D; Conclusion: This study demonstrated that RTE vended meat products sold in along Benin City By-pass, contains Shigella and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus species, which are potential foodborne pathogens and efforts should be made at eliminating them from these vended meat products.

The Effects of Using Chemicals to Remove Slime from African Giant Land Snails Flesh during Processing on Some Nutritional and Biochemical Parameters.

The effects of chemicals commonly used in Cameroon to eliminate slime from the flesh of the African giant land snail, Archachatina marginata, during processing on some nutritional and biochemical parameters were investigated. Groups of snails were processed with these chemicals at three different concentrations. Proximate analysis of all the treated snail groups was carried out, and groups with the highest concentration of each chemical were used to compose diets for experimental rats. Thirty weanling male Wistar albino rats (31.25 ± 3.09 g) aged 21days old were distributed into four groups and fed with 10% protein based diets of A. marginata named D1 (washed with only water), D2 (lime C-treated), D3 (alum C-treated), and D4 (salt C-treated). The crude protein contents of the treated groups reduced significantly when compared with the control (CW), with lime C-treated (LC) having the least here and in crude fiber, but higher (LC, LB, and LA) in dry matter. There was a significant reduction in the crude lipid of alum C-treated (AC) and salt A-treated (SA). In vivo studies showed a general decrease in food consumption, weight gained, efficiency of feed utilization (EFU), true protein digestibility (TD) (except D2), and hematological indices (RBCs (red blood cells), PCV (packed cell volume) of the treated groups (D2, D3, D4) when compared to the control (D1). On the other hand, an increase in the relative weight of the liver (RWL), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and total cholesterol was observed with some of the treated diets; meanwhile, protein efficiency ratio (PER), net protein ratio (NPR), relative weight of the kidneys (RWK), HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides were not affected by these diets. These chemicals should only be used at low concentrations or not at all because of its toxicity at high concentrations.

English

This study was aimed at determining the occurrence of Staphylococcus species in ready-to-eat (RTE) Rhynchophorus phoenicis (edible larvae) and Archachatina marginata (land snail) vended along Port Harcourt-Bayelsa route. Eighty samples from four locations were analysed employing standard techniques for proximate and microbiological analyses; virulence determination and antibiotic susceptibility. Data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and t-test. The mean proximate results revealed the presence of protein (26.01/13.6%), lipid (18.9/3.88%), fibre (5.12/2.01%), ash (3.40/1.11%), moisture (13.47/59.5%) and carbohydrate (32.43/20.07%) for edible larvae/snail, respectively. Of the 80 samples examined, 33 (41.25%) and 52 (65.00%) had total viable bacterial counts and total staphylococcal counts above acceptable microbiological limits, respectively for RTE foods. Seven of the 81 characterized Staphylococcus produced the expected band of 950 bp with sea virulent genes while three produced expected bands of 550 bp with seb virulent genes. Three Staphylococcus aureus strains from edible larvae harboured both virulent genes. The virulent genes bearing Staphylococcus were 100% resistant to augmentin, ceftazidime and cloxacillin but showed varying resistance against ceftriaxone (57.14%), cefuroxime (28.57%), vancomycin (42.86%), oxacillin (42.86%) and cefoxitin (42.86%). The study showed that these RTE foods are potential sources of staphylococcal food poisoning in commuters; hence, food vendors need to conform to standard practice. &nbsp; Key words: Edible larvae, land snail, staphylococcal enterotoxin A (sea), virulence.

The Food Diversity and Choices of Archachatina Marginata raised in Concrete Trench Pens

Archachatina marginata is an economically useful gastropod, scientifically proven to be of huge benefit to human’s health and wellbeing. Food varieties of A. marginata hunted from the immediate environment of Ovia North East, South-South, Nigeria, were investigated to select the most appropriate, in terms of preferences and availability. The study was conducted for five months (May to August, 2020) during the rainy season. Ten snails were selected from the wild with weights ranging from 340.21g to 355.32g and heights of 11.8cm to 13.3cm at the point of collection. The snails were housed each, in an escape-proof trench pen, covered with wire gauze and nylon net. They were fed with fourteen different types of food materials (water leaves, paw-paw leaves, sweet potato, white -boiled rice, corn powder, ripe paw-paw fruit, cocoyam leaves, millet powder, water melon, cucumber, formulated poultry mash, pineapple, white paper and cabbage). Water melon was very well consumed by all the snails (1323.30g; 66.17%) compared to other food items. The least consumed food items were millet powder (19.99%) and pineapple (20.28%). There was a marked increase in weight and length of the snails as the months progressed, with average length of 15.01 cm and average weight of 501.58g in August, relative to the initial measurements in May.

Effect of Feeding Graded Levels of Poultry Droppings as a Replacement for Palm Kernel Cake on the Growth Response of Young African Giant Land Snails (Archachatina marginata)

Effect of Feeding Graded Levels of Poultry Droppings as a Replacement for Palm Kernel Cake on the Growth Response of Young African Giant Land Snails (Archachatina marginata)

Performance of two snail species – Archachatina marginata (S) and Achatina achatina (I) reared under the same management practices.

The performance and carcass analysis of two popular snail species - Archatina marginata (S) and Achatina achatina (L) commonly reared in West Africa were evaluated from day old to six (6) months of age under the same housing and dietary conditions in a complete randomized design with two (2) treatments, replicated thrice with sixty (60) snails per treatment. The study revealed that at day old treatment 1 (T1) had the higher live weight of 4.03g, while treatment 2 (T2) had 0.31g which showed a statistical significant difference at P&lt;0.05. The shell length and shell width of the hatchlings also showed statistical significant difference (P&lt;0.05) between the two treatments. The mean feed intake (g/day) for T1 was 2.89 and 1.96 for T2. Higher mortality (8.33%) was recorded in T2. T2 was also found to be the better converter of feed to edible meat with feed conversion ratio of 7.26 to 72.3 recorded in T1. The higher dressing out percentage (40.14) was recorded in T1. The result showed that snails generally have slow growth. T1 was found to grow faster than T2 hence it is recommended to the populace because it has higher potential to meet animal protein supply than T2. Research on improvement and nutrition of snails should therefore be encouraged.

Performance and Carcass Analysis of Growing Snails Fed Calopogonium mucunoides (Calopo) And Pueraria phaseoloides (Kudzupuero)

An experiment was carried out to determine the effect of feeding growing snails with two different leguminous plants, Calopogonium muculoides, Pueraria phaseoloides, using pawpaw (Carica papaya) leaf as control. A total of 72 growing snails (Archachatina marginata) of mean weight 74.73/3.5g were used for the feeding trial. The snails were randomly alloted into 3 different groups and each group was replicated 4 times with 6 snails per replicate in a completely randomized design. Snails in T1 were fed pawpaw leaf (control), while snails in T2 were fed Calopogolium muculoides. Parameters measured were feed intake, weight gain, shell length and width and feed conversion ratio. The feeding trial lasted for 12 weeks. The results on growth performances reveal that the highest feed intake was recorded in snails fed pawpaw leaf (PL) which was similar to the those fed Pueraria phaseoloids (PP), while the lowest feed intake was recorded in snail fed with Calopognium muculoids (CM). The highest weight gain was also recorded in snails fed with pawpaw leaf and Peuraria phaseoloids (PP) than those fed Calopognium muculoides (CM). In conclusion, Pueraria phaseoloids could be used as substitute for pawpaw leaf.

Effect of Soil Moisture Level on the growth of the Giant African Land Snails, Archachatina marginata and Achatina achatina in different season.

This study focused on the evaluation of the effect of soil moisture on the feed intake and weight gain of the Giant African Land snails, Achatina achatina and Archachatina marginata in different seasons using a 2 x 2 x 4 factorial experiment with soil moisture at two levels (low 25ml of water/ week and high 100ml water/week), species at two levels (Achatina achatina and Archachatina marginata) and season at four levels (cold dry, hot dry, hot wet and cold wet) constituting the three factors. Result showed that there was a significant seasonal differences (P&lt;0.001) for weekly feed intake of snails in which values of 3.85, 2.53, 3.88 and 4.44g were recorded in cold dry, hot dry, hot wet and cold wet seasons, respectively. Monthly weight gains of 5.41g recorded for Archachatina marginata was significantly higher (P&lt;0.001) than the value of 1.94g recorded for Achatina achatina. There was significant interaction (P&lt;0.001) between soil moisture level and species on monthly weight gains of the snails. The feed intake and weight gain of snails (4.28 g and 6.43 g) in the high soil moisture treatment was significantly (P&lt;0.01) higher than those in the low soil moisture treatment (3.07 g and 5.30 g). In conclusion, it is evident that species, season and soil moisture level affected the feed intake and weight gain of the Giant African Land Snails

Comparative value of kola testa, corn-bran and rice- bran with maize for mature african giant land snail (Archachatina marginata)

This study was designed to compare the effect of kola testa, which is rich in fibre with maize the conventional energy source and other sources of fibre such as corn bran and rice bran. A total of two hundred and forty African giant land snails (Archachatina marginata) with an average live weight of 177.69 ± 10.87g were assigned to four dietary treatments: a maize-based diet (Diet 1) served as control, in a completely randomized design. The other diets were kola testa - based (Diet 2), corn bran-based (Diet 3) and rice bran-based (Diet 4) diets. The percentage of each test ingredient and that of maize was 31.30g/100g Each treatment consisted of sixty growing snails, which were subdivided into 3 replicates of 20 snails each. The snails received the diets over a period of 20 weeks. Weight gain was significantly higher (P&lt;0.05) for the kola testa-based diet in comparison with the corn and rice bran-based diets. Depression of magnesium and iron in the shell, flesh and fluid of snails fed corn and rice bran diets was observed. The trial revealed that kola testa-based diet compared favorably well with the corn and rice bran-based diets.

Differences in the spermatozoa and ova of two species of giant African land snails (Archachatina marginata and Achatina achatina)

A comparative study of the gametes of two species of Giant African Land Snails; Archachatinu marginata and Achatina achatina was carried out. Three groups of snails weighing 80-100,101-150 and 151-250 g were used in a 3x2 factorial design, with 5 replicates, involving a total of 30 snails. Albumen gland, little hermaphrodite duct, spermotheca and ovo-testis were examined for the presence of ova and spermatozoa. The morphology of the spermatozoa and ova of both species Was studied. Ova were found in the albumen gland and ovo-testis. Spermatozou were only found in the little hermaphrodite duct. Spermatozoa head and tail lengths were not significantly (P&gt;0.05) different between species, while the mid-piece length was significantly (P&lt;0.05) different. Liveweight group 101-150 g had the highest number of spermatozoa and ova count in both species. Morphologically, spermatozoa head, collar and mid-piece crest differed between species Archachatina marginata spermatozoa had pointed head, longer collar and highest number of mid-piece crests compared to Achatina achatina. Ova seen in the ovo-testis of A. marginata were larger compared to those seen in A. achatina. It was concluded from the study that there are differences in the morphology and dimensions of their germ cells.

The structure of the ovotestis of the common African land snails found in Abeokuta, South Western Nigeria.

A comparative study of the structure of the ovotestis of African land snails found in Abeokuta was investigated. Of all the five snails species found and dissected, Archachatina marginata, Achatina achatina, A. fulica, Helix pomatia and Limcolaria aurora, only the ovotestis of H. pomatia could not be observed. The positioning, shape and arrangement of the ovotestis was the same for all the other four species. The ovotestis is embedded in the digestive gland at the anterior region of the coiled posterior end of the visceral mass. It is cream coloured and made up of sac-like lobes arranged on a single plane. It is differentiated into an ovariaon and testicular region. The number and size of the ovotestis differ significantly (P&lt;0.05) in all the snails. Each lobe is made of several follicles and the number of which varied in the four species. Statistical analysis showed that live weight, shell length, shell width and shell circumference of the snails had no significant influence on the size on their ovotestis. Meiotic metaphase spreads of the ovotestis tissues revealed chromosome numbers 2n=56, 2n=44, 2n=54 and 2n=28 for A. marginata, A. achatina, A. fulica and L. aurora

EFFECTS OF POPULATION DENSITY ON THE GROWTH AND EGG-LAYING CAPACITY OF THE AFRICAN GIANT LAND SNAIL Archachatina marginata (Swainson) RAISED IN CAPTIVITY

The effects of the population density of adult African, giant land snail, Archachatina marginata on the egg-laying capacity and the growth of the brooders and hatchlings were investigated for 9 months. Ten culture pens were stocked with snails at 20%, 40%, 50%, 80% and 100% capacity with each group in 2 replicates. Average weight gain of brooders was highest in pens stocked at 40% population density while the lowest was in pen stocked at 100%. Average number of eggs laid per snail and average number of eggs per pen followed the same trend in the study. The highest average number of eggs laid per pen was obtained in pens stocked at 60% population density (586) while the least was from pens at 20% population density. The result was the same for the average number of eggs laid per snail i.e. 7.5 eggs in pens stocked at 60% and 4.1 eggs in pens stocked at 20%. There was no significant difference in the weights of hatchlings in the different pens.

Effect of feeding different levels of protein supplementation on the growth performance of young snails (Archachatina marginata) in the western highlands of Cameroon

Effect of feeding different levels of protein supplementation on the growth performance of young snails (Archachatina marginata) in the western highlands of Cameroon

Economic analysis of two giant land snail marketing in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract The study examined the marketing and uses of two species of Giant African Land Snails (Archachatina marginata and Achatina achatina) in four (4) different market locations in Ibadan Oyo state, Nigeria. The data were collected using a structured and validated questionnaire administered interpersonally to 160 snail marketers in four randomly selected markets in selected Local Government Area (LGA) situated in Ibadan. Data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools; these include frequencies, mean, median, mode and multiple regression. Findings from the socioeconomic characteristics revealed that majority (98.1 %) of the respondents were female and only 1.9 % were male. Majority (91.9 %) of marketers were married with 27.5 % in the 31–40 years age group. Majority (89.4 %) raised their capital through personal savings and had over 16 years of marketing experience. All respondents (100 %) were involved in wholesale marketing of different species of snail whereas 65 % of them were into both wholesale and retail marketing. Also, 88.8 % were engaged in marketing of both species only. Most (70 %) of the respondents’ generated income per year was between ₦10,000–₦49,999 ($26–$130). All marketers ascertained that the major purpose of snail is for consumption. Also, the budgetary analysis (costs and returns) revealed that marketing of Archachatina marginata and Achatina achatina is a profitable business among the marketers with a high rate of return on investment. The most efficient market for both snail species was Sango market with efficiency values 1.77 and 1.82 for A. achatina and A. marginata, respectively. The coefficient of multiple determination, R2 value of 0.689 indicated that 68.9 % of the variation in the marketing price of snail is explained by transportation cost, cost price of snail and market tariff. The marketing efficiency was greater than one in all markets which showed that the markets were efficient in the marketing of Archachatina marginata and Achatina achatina. The study concluded that snail marketing is profitable given the market efficiencies and rate of returns on investment. Policy recommendation towards reduction in cost of transportation and market tariff is suggested as this would bring about improved market efficiencies and more returns.

Influence of Different Management Systems on Gut Microbes and Chemical Constituents of Giant Land Snail (Archachatina marginata)

The impact of management systems on the African giant land snail, Archachatina marginata found in Abeokuta, Nigeria was investigated. The gut microbial load, haemolymph biochemical values (proteins, lipids, glucose, Na+, Ca2+,K+, Cl- PO42+) and proximate composition (crude protein, fat, fibre, ash and carbohydrates) of the flesh were determined in these snails. There were significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher colony forming units (cfu) in the gut of snails from the wild (5.24 x103) than the domesticated snails (3.13 x103). The aemolymph biochemical values and flesh proximate composition were significantly higher in the snails from the wild than the domesticated ones. However, antinutrients and mineral composition of the flesh were not significantly affected by the management systems. The implication of these results on snail meat value in Nigeria is discussed.

Changes in Haemolymph Biochemical values during different growth phases in African Giant Land Snail (Archachatina Marginata) Swainson

The impact of growth phases on the haemolympy biochemical value of African giant land snail Archachatina marginata was studied. The growth phases were: snailet, juvenile and Adult based on the number of whorls on the shell and weight of the snails. Highest concentration of glucose and lipids were recorded at the juvenile phase (40.20mg/dl), while least values for glucose (20.00mg/dl) and lipids (37.80mg/dl)were recorded during snailer and adult phases respectively. A progressive increase in the concentration of protein was observed as the snails moved from snailetphase to adult phase, hence snails in adult phase had highest concentration of protein in their haemolymph. Growth phases significantly (p&lt;0.05) affected the haemolymph mineral composition of the snails, juvenile phase had the highest values in ca2+,PO4+ and Na+, while the adult phase recorded the least concentration in ca2+, Na amd cl-2. Juvenile growth phase of A. marginata thus has better haemolymph biochemical values than both snailet and adult growth phases.