Journal of Molluscan Research, (JMR) Volume 9, 2022
*Iyeh, C.I. , Onukwor,O.B. and Abdussalam, F.O.
ABSTRACT
Snails are soft-bodied animals with a protective shell. Although snail shells help to protect the snail from environmental threats and predators, occasionally the shell is damaged by predatory birds. So far, little is known about the impact of damage from birds on the water snail shell. Thus, this study was conducted to determine the effects of damage by birds on the morphometrics and composition on shell of two freshwater snails (Pila africana and Lanistes lybicus).
Twenty-four individual shells of freshwater snails (12 intact and 12 damaged) of each species, P. africana and L. lybicus, were used for the study. These shells were collected from freshwater habitat at Ijagemo town, Lagos State, Nigeria. The morphometric (shell length and weight) was taken and the mineral composition (Ca , Mg , Na , K and Fe ) was analyzed using standard methods.
Data collected were analyzed statistically using student t-test. Results showed that weight and size of the intact shells of P. africana and L. lybicus were higher than the damaged shells. The size of shell damage was higher in L. lybicus than P. africana. The proximate and mineral contents (Ca , Mg , Na , K and Fe ) were significantly (p<0.05) higher in L. lybicus than in P. africana. Calcium concentration was significantly the highest followed by potassium in the snails’ shells for both species.
The intact snail shells had significantly higher proximate and mineral concentrations than the damaged snail shells. In conclusion, this study showed that damages on the water snails’ shells affect their morphometrics and chemical composition.
Keywords: Morphometric, water snails, mineral, birds, shell, Pila africana and Lanistes lybicus
