Optimizing Growth: Diet & Substrate for Archachatina Marginata | InformativeBD

Kouassi Kouadio Daniel , N’guessan N’guessan Olivier, and  Aman Jean-Baptiste from the different institute of the Côte d'Ivoire, wrote a research article about Optimizing Growth: Diet & Substrate for Archachatina Marginata, entitled, "Interaction on the diet and substrate on the growth of Archachatina marginata in breeding".This research paper published by the Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences | JBES. an open access scholarly research journal on Biodiversity. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences | INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

Nine hundred juveniles of Archachatina marginata aged about two weeks, with an average live weight of 2.25 g with an average shell length of 20.12mm were monitored in culture for six (6) months on five types of substrates [S1 (soil collected in a cassava plantation: Manihot sp.), S2 (S1 with 10% oyster shell meal), S3 (S1 with 10% sawdust), S4 (S1 with 5% oyster shell meal and 5% sawdust) and S5 (uncultivated forest soil). Four diets including two industrial (D1 and D 2 of 12% and 16% calcium respectively) and two based on fodder (D3 and D4 based on leaves and fruit of the papaya (Carica papaya) on the one hand and a mixture of papaya leaves and taro (Xanthosoma maffafa) on the other hand, were used. In order to determine the best combinations inducing the best growth performance, 20 combinations were formed at the rate of 45 spat for each combination; three replicas of 15 spat each. This study showed that the combination of diet and livestock substrate influences the growth of Archachatina marginata. Although the best feed is D1 (74.68 g and 7.94cm) and the best substrate is S2 (77.12 g and 7.79cm), the best combinations are D2S3 (69.37 g and 7.47cm), D1S4 (74.68 g and 7.94cm and D4S2 (77.12 g and 7.79cm). The combined effect of the high level of dietary calcium and that of the culture substrate does not promote good growth of snails. This work will help improve the production of African giant snails and provide important data for anyone wishing to engage in the breeding of these animals. 

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Introdction 

Naturally available food resources play a fairly substantial role in populations (Sodjinou et al., 2002). Among these resources, African giant snails (or Achatines) belonging to the family Achatinidae are found there. These snails are highly valued by many African populations (Zongo 1995). For example, Achatine meat is the most consumed meat in South Benin ahead of aulacode, chicken, sheep or goats, beef and pork (Sodjinou et al., 2002). It is estimated that in Côte d'Ivoire, the population eats 7.9 million kg of snails per year, while in Ghana; demand clearly exceeds production capacity (Cobbinah et al., 2008).

Unfortunately, these protein resources are becoming scarce in their natural environment. To compensate for these deficits, heliculture is one of the alternatives to diversify the sources of animal protein of populations. It is therefore right that initiatives to breed these animals should be carried out in order to satisfy the ever-increasing demand for their consumption, but also to ensure the sustainability of the resource. Thus, several research initiatives on the pace of activity, growth (Ejidike et al., Otchoumou et al., 2004; Kouassi et al., 2016), on reproduction (Otchoumou et al., 2005, Kouassi, 2008) as well as on snail farming substrate were supported (Kouassi et al., 2016; Awohouedji et al., 2017). Indeed, the success of such breeding goes beyond the control of the feed, the breeding substrate, the pathology of these animals, but also and above all by a healthy appreciation of the food according to the different types of breeding substrate. Thus, the substrate is a key element for snails as it is both a source of mineral nutrients and a refuge.

In terms of snail production, several studies have shown the effect of feeding (Kouassi et al., 2007, Kouassi, 2002) or farming substrate on the growth and reproduction of these animals by a variation in calcium levels. However, to our knowledge, no studies have yet been devoted to the combined effect of diet and substrate. The objective of this study is to highlight the combined effect of diet and culture substrate on the live weight and growth of the shell of Archachatina marginata in order to optimize its rearing. It was therefore necessary to evaluate the combined effect of food and substrate on the weight and shell growth of snails.

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