Limicolaria Aurora Research Articles

Observations on the biology of Postharmostomum ntowi Hodasi, 1967 (Trematoda: Brachylaimidae) based on intermediate and definitive hosts found in Nigeria.

Following the recovery of the metacercariae of a brachylaimid trematode from the rectum of the frog Amnirana galamensis from Ase in Delta State, Nigeria, we investigated the land snails in the locality to establish their roles in the life cycle of the parasite. Of the four land snails investigated from Ase (Limicolaria aurora, Archachatina marginata, A. papyracea, and Thapsia oscitans), and a Limicolaria sp. from Tombia (Bayelsa State), four harboured larval stages of the bracylaimid. Only L. aurora and the Limicolaria sp. harboured cercariogenous sporocysts and are therefore presumed to serve as the first intermediate hosts of the parasite. Metacercariae were recovered from the Limicolaria spp. and the Archachatina spp. and so serve as the second intermediate hosts. No larval brachylaimids were recovered from T. oscitans. Metacercariae from L. aurora and A. papyracea were cultured in vivo in 14 days old chicks of Gallus gallus domesticus. Parasites recovered from the experimental hosts 7, 14, 21 and 28 days post-infection, showed progressive development of the parasite with the full maturity attained by the 28th day post-infection. Adult parasites recovered from the experimental birds and from free range chicken purchased from Ase and Tombia showed that the brachylaimid infecting these birds was Postharmostomum ntowi, a parasite previously reported in domestic chicken in Ghana. There is need to investigate the host range of the parasite in Nigeria as this trematode is also known to infect the Guinea fowl in Ghana.

Waste leachate induces histological alterations in Limicolaria aurora (Jay, 1839) digestive gland

Unsanitary open dumping and burning of wastes in dumpsites results to constant leaching of waste pollutants into the surrounding environment with attendant harmful consequences on wildlife and public health. Here, we investigated the histological effects of Onitsha municipal waste leachate on the Giant African land snail, Limicolaria aurora (Jay 1839). The histopathological effects of waste leachate on the digestive cells of the snails were examined following standard protocols. Snails were exposed to different concentrations (0, 6.25, 12.5, 25.0 and 50.0%) of the leachate for a total duration of 21 days. Histological results obtained showed that waste leachate caused dose and duration dependent alterations in the digestive glands of L. aurora. Obvious histological variations were observed in snails exposed to 50% concentrations of the leachate compared to other doses. Observed histological changes were mainly degeneration of the digestive tubules, fragmentation and disappearance of the digestive cells, marked increase in excretory cells, necrosis and epithelia sloughing. This study therefore highlights the potential toxicity of waste leachate of causing mild to severe damage in the tissues of organisms. Reinforcing the fact, that waste leachate contains a mix of toxic substances that could pose a severe injury to the biological system of surrounding biota, including humans.

Parasites of edible land snails in Edo State, Nigeria

Summary Land snails are sources of protein to man and are hosts to a number of parasites. It is imperative that the roles of the snail hosts and parasites are clearly defined. Before then however, the parasites of the different land snails collected in any locality should be identified. Land snails were collected in the wild in both dry and wet seasons. The internal organs and the faeces were examined for the presence of parasite. In the rainy season of 2015, a total of 272 snails were collected across four major towns (Benin, Uromi, Ekpoma and Auchi) in Edo State, Nigeria, while in the dry season, fewer snails (n=91) were handpicked. The snail species seen are: Achatina achatina (Linnaeus, 1758), Achatina fulica (Férussac, 1821), Acharchatina marginata (Swainson, 1982), Limicolaria aurora (Jay, 1839), L. flammea (Müller, 1774) and Limicolariopsis spp. The larvae of Strongyloides stercoralis were isolated from the various snail species with overall prevalence of 54.04 %. Snails positive with Alaria mesocercariae were L. aurora, L. flammea and Limicolariopsis spp. Additionally, few L. flammea were positive of the cercariae of Drocoelium dedriticum. Meanwhile, some samples of A. fulica harboured larvae of Angiostrongylus cantonesis, sporocysts of Fasciola gigantica and Schistosoma mansoni. Therefore, these edible snails could pose serious health hazard to man and animals by serving as a possible alternative parasite transmission route.

English

Limicolaria aurora belongs to the group of land snails commonly called garden snails. This study seeks to use shell morphology and random amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR) to examine gross morphological differences in populations of L. aurora from New Bussa (guinea savannah) and Benin City (tropical rain forest) in Nigeria and possibly delimit the populations into sub species. A total of one hundred and ten specimens of L. aurora made up of fifty five individuals from each of the two ecological zones were collected randomly for the study. Data on shell parameters including: height of shell (SH), width of shell (SW), aperture height (AH), aperture width (AW), spire length (SL), and first whorl length (1WL) measured on each snail were subjected to one way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Principal component analysis (PCA) and canonical variates analysis (CVA) were performed on the data using PAST statistical software. DNA which was extracted from the muscular tissues of the foot of eight individuals from each location using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) method was subjected to RAPD-PCR. Amplification of the DNA was done using five primers (OPB-12, OPB-18, OPH-08, OPD-11 and OPS-13). Analyses showed significant differences (P<0.05) in L. aurora populations within and between the vegetation zones revealing great heterogeneity in the populations. Both PCA and CVA clusters did not separate the populations into distinct sub-populations. SH was the most variable morphological characteristic and consequently the most suitable for the separation of L. aurora specimens into distinct populations. All the primers used in the amplification of the DNA produced polymorphic bands. The Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean (UPGMA) cluster diagram revealed two major clades within the snail populations with about 74% similarity. The study showed that RAPD-PCR analysis is more suitable for delimiting populations of L. aurora than morphometrics and that the basis for gross morphological differences in these populations might not only be environmental but also genetic factors. Key words: Achatinidae, biodiversity, environmental factors, morphometrics, phylogenetics, shell, sub-populations, variation.

Bioaccumulation of Iron, Zinc, Cadmium and Chromium by Juvenile Snail Limicolaria aurora J., Fed Edible Mushroom Pleurotus spp from Niger Delta, Nigeria

The effects of uptake of metals (iron, zinc, cadmium and chromium) by juvenile snail Limicolaria aurora fed edible mushroom Pleurotus spp from 3 contaminated farm sites and a laboratory grown species (control) respectively were investigated. The 120 snails were fed in plastic snaileries for 4 weeks in the laboratory. Control site was risk free. Metal uptake was low and bioaccumulation in L. aurora tissue was below FAO/WHO standard of 1 mg/kg for chromium and cadmium. Snails were considered safe for consumption.

Antifeedant Activty Of Different Organic Solvent Crude Extracts Of &lt;i&gt;Euphorbia hirta&lt;/i&gt; Latex On The Edible Tropical Land Snail (&lt;i&gt;Limicolaria aurora&lt;/i&gt;)

The antifeedant activity of different organic solvents (acetone, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, diethyl ether and ethyl alcohol) crude extracts of latex of Euphorbia hirta (family Euphobiaceae) against Limicolaria aurora was investigated, and compared with a control, using pawpaw, (Carica papaya) as bait, at a concentration of 200&#956g/g. Results showed no mortalities. E. hirta extracts depressed diet consumption when compared to control with lower antifeedant index range from 12 to 43% after a 96 hr exposure in plastic snaileries under controlled laboratory conditions. Carbon tetrachloride recorded the highest antifeedant index of 43.24% and the lowest consumption of 3.57 ±2.97g. Keywords : Edible tropical land snails, antifeedant, plant extract, Euphorbia hirta Journal of Agriculture, Forestry and the Social Sciences Vol. 4 (2) 2006: pp. 149-155

Nutritive potentials and utilization of garden snail (Limicolaria aurora) meat meal in the diet of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings

The possibility of using garden snail (Limicolaria aurora) meat meal as a protein source in fish feeds was tested in Clarias gariepinus fingerlings. Five isonitrogenous (43% crude protein) diets in which garden snail meat meal was used to replace fish meal at 0%, (control diet), 25, 50, 75 and 100% inclusion levels were used for the study. The fish were fed ad-libitum for 8 weeks. Garden snail meat meal used had a crude protein content of 66.76% and ash content of 4.10%, while crude protein and ash content of fishmeal used were 72.46% and 18.22% dry weight, respectively. The lipid content of garden snail meat meal and fishmeal; 7.85% and 7.97%, respectively, was not significantly different (p
0.05). The mean weight gain, relative growth and specific growth rates were highest in fish fed 25% garden snail meat meal diet. The best food conversion ratio (1.21) and protein efficiency ratio (3.69) were also recorded in fish fed 25% garden snail meat meal diet. Visceral somatic indices (2.71-17.24%) increased significantly (p
0.05) with increase in the garden snail meat meal inclusion in the diets.

The relationship between the Nigerian garden snail Limicolaria aurora and the moss Hyophila crenulata

A possible relationship between the moss, Hyophila crenulata and the Nigerian garden snail, Limicolaria aurora was investigated. Freshly ground moss paste, unground moss, waterleaf (Talinum triangulare) paste, a mixture of ground moss and cassava starch paste (1 : 1) and cassava starch paste alone were fed to different groups of snails for 10 days. A field experiment in which some snails were restricted to the moss population on a drainage wall for 10 days was also carried out. There was a significant difference in the live weight of the different groups of snails (P, 0.05) in the laboratory experiment. The group fed with moss paste had a significantly higher live weight than any of the other groups. The group fed with unground moss and those in the field experiment actually lost weight indicating an inability to feed on and digest the whole moss. The results indicate that the snails use the moss, which is always moist and cool, only as habitat and not as food. Thus the nutrients trapped within the cells of mosses may only enter the nutrient cycle of the ecosystem when the moss dies and decomposes or by mechanical crushing.

Effect of carbamate molluscicide on African giant land snail Limicolaria Aurora

The effect of 50, 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500mg/ml of carbamate molluscicide on the behavioural and macroscopic changes of Limicolaria aurora were investigated in the laboratory using Carica papaya as bait for 120h. The data showed that 48h after dosing the organism with furadan, 60% mortality was recorded. Above 200mg/ml deters snails from feeding and becomes sub-lethal. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management Vol. 9(1) 2005: 99-102

Some Behavioural Responses Of &lt;i&gt;Limicolaria aurora&lt;/i&gt; Exposed To Gramoxone

The effects of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 % of combined oral and dermal single-application of 0.1 M concentration of gramoxone (contact herbicide, paraquat chloride) on Limicolaria aurora were determined and compared with control using Amaranthus sp. as bait. Responses were measured through normal feeding and crawling, head retraction into the shell, swelling, excessive mucus secretion, lack of response to mechanical stimuli (mortality). Results showed no effects on controls. Snails exposed to gramoxone fed less as contamination increased. Gramoxone is molluscicidal, it can also result in behaviour–modifying observations in snails which are non-target organisms in the ecosystem. Key words: African giant land snail, gramoxone, ecotoxicology. Nigerian Journal of Physiological Sciences Vol.19(1&2) 2004: 82-85

Larval stages of Brachylaima fuscatum in the terrestrial snail Limicolaria aurora from southern Nigeria.

Of 150 specimens of the gastropod snail Limicolaria aurora examined from the Edo and Delta states of Nigeria, 63.4% were infected with larval digeneans comprising mother sporocysts (12.1%) daughter sporocysts (20.4%) cercariae (43.1%) and metacercariae (24.5%). Attempts to experimentally infect three 14-day-old chicks (Gallus domesticus) and two laboratory-bred 4-month-old mice (Mus musculus) by oral feeding and peritoneal injection with cercariae were negative, although experimental infections of chicks via a cloacal drop yielded 62 immature and 37 mature worms from the intestinal caeca and ileum. The worms were identified as Brachylaima fuscatum (Trematoda: Brachylaimidae). The study also revealed that L. aurora acts as an intermediate host for B. fuscatum, in addition to Eulota sp., Helix sp., Helicella sp., Oxychilus sp. and Agrolimax sp.

Nutrients and anti-nutrients in small snails ( Limicolaria aurora)

The proximate composition, toxic substances, mineral elements and amino acid compositions of fresh Limicolaria aurora were determined. The moisture content of the sample was 71.24g/100g (wet weight). Crude protein, crude fat, and ash contents were 51.0, 9.70 and 11.8 g/100 g DM (dry matter), respectively. Some anti-nutrients were also determined: total oxalate was 381 mg/100 g DM while hydrocyanic and tannic acids were 112 and 592 mg/100 g DM, respectively. Mineral element analysis showed that L. aurora is rich in sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc. Among the essential amino acids assayed, the sulphur-containing amino acids with a chemical score of 46.0% appeared to be the most limiting when compared with the essential amino acid pattern of whole hen's egg. The potential of L. aurora as a source of food nutrients is discussed.

Dispersal of Plant Pests into the Virgin Islands

On 26 October 1990, Greg Mayer, Tina Kuklenski, and Scott Miller sampled invertebrates from a large shipment (an entire barge) of potted plants being unloaded at Guana Island, British Virgin Islands (BVI). Becker & Miller (1992) provide background on Guana Island. The plants, including many specimens of several species of palms, were being imported from nurseries in southern Florida for landscaping. The importers had apparently met all BVI regulations and had checked in with government authorities in Tortola before the barge proceeded to Guana Island. The shipment was infested with large numbers of insects and snails, most of which have been identified as follows. A millipede, an isopod, and several beetle larvae were not identified. Cockroach (Blattodea: Blaberidae) Pycnoscelus surinamensis (Linnaeus), Surinam cockroach Mealybug (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae) Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell), pineapple mealybug Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Brachymyrmex obscurior Forel Hypoponera opaciceps (Mayr) Odontomachus ruginodis Wheeler Paratrechina longicornis (Latreille), crazy ant Paratrechina pubens (Forel) Pheidole morerens Wheeler Snails (Mollusca) Lamellaxis gracilis (Hutton) Polygyra cf. P. cereolus (Muhlfeld) Praticolella griseola (Pfeiffer) Succinea cf. S. luteola floridana Pilsbry Although some of these species are native to the Puerto Rican Bank, most are immigrant species that are now widespread in the Caribbean region, including southern Florida (Godan 1983, Roth 1994). Most are known from the Puerto Rican Bank (Wolcott 1950-1951). Several major agricultural pests are included, such as those with common names listed. The presence of this many invertebrates on this shipment indicates the ease of dispersal of agricultural pests. Non-indigenous pests are a major problem for North American agriculture (Dowell & Krass 1992, Sailer 1978, 1983, U.S Congress 1993). In addition to being agricultural pests, non-indigenous insects and snails appear to be the primary cause of extinction for native invertebrates on islands (e.g., Howarth 1990, Howarth & Ramsay 1991). Vectors of human disease, such as Aedes albopictus (Skuse) (Asian tiger mosquito), can also be spread by commerce (e.g., Francy et al. 1990, Mitchell et al. 1992). The recent spread of two giant African snails, Achatina fulica Bowditch and Limicolaria aurora (Jay), to Martinique is a stark example of the problem of continued pest dispersal (Mead & Palcy 1992). Given the threat that non-indigenous insects and snails present to agriculture, human health, and conservation management, and potential economic consequences of such introductions, island governments should create and implement policies for the

Polymorphism in a West African Snail

Limicolaria aurora (Jay), a land snail of Nigeria, is polymorphic for two shell-color characters, banding and background coloration. Banded is dominant to unbanded (the gene U, u) while pink background is dominant to gray (the gene G, g). This polymorphism is probably controlled by two tightly linked genes rather than by a series of alleles at one locus. Evidence is presented that in some populations there is a deficiency of the coupling phase UG/ug, the majority of double heterozygotes being in the repulsion phase (Ug/uG). It is unlikely that selective predation by thrushes and beetle larvae adjusts phenotype frequencies in natural populations.