Ibom, L.A. (University of Calabar, Calabar)
Okon, B. (University of Calabar, Calabar)
Patani, I. (University of Calabar, Calabar)
ABSTRACT
This study explores the correlations between body weight and growth traits in two growth phases (hatch and juvenile) of Archachatina marginata offspring, using 150 snails from three mating groups: homozygous var. ovum (BO X BO), homozygous var. saturalis (BS X BS), and heterozygous (BO X BS). The traits analyzed include shell length, shell width, aperture length, and feed intake. Significant (p<0.01) positive correlations were observed in all trait pairs, with the BO X BS group showing the highest correlation values, indicating heterozygote advantage. These findings suggest that selection for one trait will improve other correlated traits, making BO X BS the ideal group for snail farming to achieve higher growth performance and economic returns.
Keywords: Archachatina marginata, body weight, growth traits, shell length, shell width, correlations, feed intake, heterozygote advantage, snail farming.
