Stocking Density and Calcium Diet: Effects on Achatina fulica Egg-Laying Performance | InformativeBD

Jean Baptiste Aman, from the institute of Côte d’Ivoire. Soronikpo Soro, from the institute of Côte d’Ivoire. Jean Didié Memel, from the institute of Côte d’Ivoire. Kouassi Charles Kouadio, from the institute of Côte d’Ivoire , and Otchoumou Atcho, from the institute of Côte d’Ivoire.  wrote a Research Article about, Stocking Density and Calcium Diet: Effects on Achatina fulica Egg-Laying Performance. Entitled, The combined effect of stocking density and dietary calcium content on egg-laying performance of Achatina fulica. This research paper published by the International Journal of Biosciences (IJB). an open access scholarly research journal on Biosciences. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences | INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the appropriate amount of dietary calcium to reduce the impact of density on laying performance in Achatina fulica. To do this, 1380 breeding animals were divided into 8 batches reared at different densities. For each rearing density, the breeding stock were classified into 4 sub-lots and fed diets differing in their calcium content. The reproductive performance of these breeders was determined and compared as a function of rearing density and dietary calcium level. The results showed that for a diet with a low calcium source content (10%), the density above 25 breeders per square metre led to a significant drop in the laying rate (13 ± 3.7% to 9.36 ± 4.13%) and the number of eggs per clutch (111.23 eggs/clutch to 98 eggs/clutch). However, for a diet with a high calcium source content (40%), the rearing density had virtually no impact on the reproductive performance of Achatina fulica. This study shows that, in order to make his facilities profitable, the farmer can place 40 breeders per square metre of rearing enclosure, provided that their feed contains sufficient calcium (40% oyster shell). 

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Introduction

Snail meat is a real source of animal protein, with an average content of 74.6% (Fabguaro et al., 2006), as well as essential amino acids such as lysine, leucine and phenylalanine (Otchoumou et al., 2010). It is also a valuable source of macronutrients and income for many households (Brescia and Chardonnet, 2002). Faced with increased pressure from the harvesting of these molluscs in West Africa and the destruction of their natural habitats, snail farming appears to be a necessary solution to compensate for seasonal deficits and ensure the survival of this animal species in the face of human activity (Otchoumou, 1997). Achatinidae farming therefore aims to progressively reduce this pressure by developing rational production techniques, including the development of effective diets and the determination of adequate stocking densities (Karamoko et al., 2011, Aman et al., 2023) to improve growth and optimal reproduction in these animals. Several studies have shown that overcrowding results in slower snail growth and poor reproductive performance.

This has been justified by the fact that overcrowding in snails leads to changes in food quality (Thomas et al., 1975) resulting from an accumulation of faeces and mucus in the food (Dan and Bailey 1982). This has been justified by the fact that overcrowding in snails leads to changes in food quality (Thomas et al., 1975) resulting from an accumulation of faeces and mucus in the food (Dan & Bailey 1982). High densities also lead to an increase in the amount of mucus secreted, making it difficult for snails to move around in search of food and to exploit the environment. The aim of the breeder, in order to make his facilities profitable, is to place as many breeding animals as possible per square metre of breeding enclosure, provided that this density does not cause any disturbance to the animals.

It was therefore with the aim of helping breeders to find solutions to the problem of stocking density that this study was initiated. The main objective of this work is to minimise the effect of overcrowding on laying performance through dietary calcium levels.

Reference

Aman JB, Memel D, Kouassi D, Otchoumou A. 2023. Effets de l’alternance des aliments concentrés et végétal sur quelques performances zootechniques de l’escargot Achatina achatina (Linné, 1758). International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences 17(5), 1890-1902. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ijbcs.v17i5.9

Brescia F, Chardonnet P. Garine WM. Jori F. 2002. Les élevages non conventionnels. Mémento de l’agronome, CIRAD-GRET Paris.

Cameron RAD, Carter MA. 1979. Intra- and interspecific effects of population density on growth and activity in some Helicidae land snails (Gastropoda: Pulmonata). Journal of Animal Ecology, 48, 237-246. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.mollus.a065647

Dan N, Bailey SER. 1982. Growth, mortality and feeding rates of the snail Helix aspersa at different population density in the laboratory and the depression of activity of helicid snails by other individualism or their mucus. Journal of Molluscan Studies 48, 257-265. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.mollus.a065647

Fagbuaro O, Oso JA, Edward JB, Ogunleye RF. 2006. Nutritional status of four species of giant land snails in Nigeria. Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE B 7, 686-689. http://dx.doi.org/10.1631/jzus.2006.B0686

Noumonvi CGR, Lougbegnon OT, Dahouda M, Codjia JTC. 2012. Influence de la densité de populations sur les performances de croissance de Archachatina marginata (Swainson) en élevage contrôlé. Bulletin de la Recherche Agronomique du Bénin (BRAB), Numéro spécial Elevages de gibier & non gibier. 1840-7099. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342917960

Karamoko M, Memel JD, Kouassi KD, Otchoumou A. 2011. Influence de la densité animale sur la croissance et la reproduction de l’escargot Limicolaria flammea (Müller) en conditions d’élevage. Acta Zoológica Mexicana, 27(2), 393-406. http://dx.doi.org/10.21829/azm.2011.272760

Otchoumou A. 1997. Etude de trois espèces d’escargots comestibles de forêts hygrophiles humides de l’Est de la Côte d’Ivoire Achatina achatina (Linné), Achatina fulica (Bowdich) et Archachatina marginata (Swainson) variété ventricosa: reproduction et croissance en milieu naturel et en élevage. Thèse de Doctorat de 3e cycle, Université de Cocody- Abidjan,  Côte d’Ivoire, 110 p.

Otchoumou A, Dupont-Nivet M, Ocho AAL, Dosso H. 2010. Body proportions and chemical composition of wild and reared edible snails of Ivory Coast. Italian journal of food science 22(1), 1120-1770. https://media.proquest.com/media/hms/OBJ/9uyKU?_s=k7NhuhlPpJV4kz4ScH4SUB4WAa8%3D

Oosterhoff LM. 1977: Variation in growth rate as an ecological factor on the land snail Cepaea nemoralis (Linné). Netherlands Journal of zoology  27(1), 1-132. https://pure.rug.nl/ws/files/14617403/Oosterhoff.PDF

Thomas JD, Goldsworthy GJ, Benjamin M. 1975. Studies on the chemical ecology of Biomphalaria glabrata: The effects of chemical conditioning by the snails kept at various densities on their growth and metabolism. Journal of Zoology, 175, 421-437. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1975.tb01409.x

Thiengo SC, Faraco FA, Salgado NC, Cowie RH, Fernandez MA. 2007. Rapid spread of an invasive snail in South America: The giant African snail, Achatina fulica, in Brazil. Biological Invasions 9, 693–702. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10530-006-9069-6

Source : The combined effect of stocking density and dietary calcium content on egg-laying performance ofAchatina fulica  

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Stocking Density Impact on Tilapia Juvenile Growth and Survival | InformativeBD

Yao Laurent Alla, Kouamé Marcel N’dri, Yao Nicolas Amon, Kouadio Mesac N’guessan, Kouassi Tano, and Kouakou Yao,  from the different institute of the Côte d’Ivoire. wrote a research article about, Stocking Density Impact on Tilapia Juvenile Growth and Survival. entitled, Effect of stocking density on the growth and survival of Tilapia juveniles (Sarotherodon melanotheron) reared in happas at Layo station (Dabou, Côte d’Ivoire). This research paper published by the International Journal of Biosciences (IJB).  an open access scholarly research journal on Biosciences. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences | NNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

A study was carried out to evaluate the effect of stocking density on the growth and survival of Sarotherodon melanotheron juveniles. To do this, 300 individuals with an initial average weight 4.13 ± 1.96 g and an initial average length 5.79 ± 0.89 cm were monitored for 42 days, in triplicate, at four densities (0.2; 0.4; 0.6 and 0.8 ind. /L) in happas of 50 liters volume. Fish were fed at 10% of their biomass with koudijs feed. A weekly sampling was carried out, during which ten (10) individuals were taken at random, they were weighed and measured individually. The physico-chemical parameters of water were measured daily. At the end of the experiment, the 0.8 ind. /L density gave the best growth results, with values of 16.27 ± 2.36g; 9.17 ± 0.92 cm; 0.29 ± 0.08 g/d ; 2.11 ± 0.08 and 443.67 ± 56.44 g, respectively for final average weight, final average length, ADG, condition factor and total biomass. For the survival rate, the highest value (95.00 ± 1.33%) was recorded in individuals with a density of 0.4 ind./L while those with a density of 0.8 ind./ L gave the lowest survival (80.00 ± 1.33%). Other densities could be tested and in other breeding structures to better appreciate the influence of this factor on the growth and survival of this species.

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Introduction

In Côte d’Ivoire, fish is the most accessible source of animal protein for all social classes, due to its availability in all seasons and its relatively lower price compared to meat (MIRAH, 2022a). Average annual consumption per capita is 25.6 kg (MIRAH, 2019). National fish production, estimated at around 100 000 tonne/year, remains insufficient regarding the needs of the population, estimated at over 600,000 tonne/year (MIRAH, 2022a). National aquaculture production is 4,500 tonnes per year, or 4.5% of national fish production. The annual deficit of almost 500,000 tonne/year is made up by imports in frozen form (Avit et al., 2012; Ducroquet et al., 2017). This represents a significant currency outflow of 310 billion CFA francs in the national budget (MIRAH, 2022a).

In order to raise the level of local production, the country has initiated several aquaculture and fisheries development programs, the latest of which are the PSDEPA (Strategic Plan of Livestock, Fishery and Aquaculture Development) (2014-2020), PSTACI (Strategic Program of Aquaculture Transformation in Côte d’Ivoire) and PONADEPA 2022-2026 (National Policy of Livestock, Fishery and Aquaculture Development). The aim is to reduce the country's dependence on the outside world and enable Ivorians to consume fresh local fish at a competitive price (MIRAH, 2022b).

Public organization including the Oceanological Research Center (ORC) were created and tasked with identifying and studying local species with aquaculture potential, in order to make them available to fish farmers (MIRAH, 2022a). Among the species, the Tilapia Sarotherodon melanotheron is a good candidate due to the quality of its flesh.

However, for successful intensive farming of this species, it is important to control stocking density, which remains a factor determining the productivity of fish farming systems. High stocking densities are a potential source of stress that can limit fish growth and well-being when physiological and spatial requirements are not met (Le Ruyet et al., 2008). Fry from high-performance strains still fail to grow properly unless good stocking practices are followed (Osofero et al., 2009). Stocking density is a major concern in fish farming. This is why, to contribute to the control of the breeding of tilapia S. melanotheron, we are undertaking the present study which has the theme "Effect of stocking density on the growth and survival of juveniles in happas".

The general objective of this work is to determine the optimal density which allows for better growth and survival results during the rearing of S. melanotheron juveniles.

Reference

Amoussou TO, Toguyeni A, Imorou TI, Chikou A, Youssao AKI. 2016. Caractéristiques biologiques et zootechniques des tilapias africains Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) et Sarotherodon melanotheron Ruppell, International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences 10(4), 1869-1887. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ijbcs.v10i4.35

Avit JBLF, Bony KY, Kouassi NC, Konan KF, Assemian O, Allouko JR. 2012. Conditions écologiques de production de fingerlings d‘Oreochromis niloticus (Linné, 1758) en association avec le riz WITA 12 en étang. Journal of Applied Biosciences 59, 4271-4285.

Ducroquet H, Tillie P, Louhichi K, Gomez YPS. 2017. L’agriculture de la Côte d’Ivoire à la loupe: Etats des lieux des filières de productions végétales et animales et revue des politiques agricoles. Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 244 p.

Gbaï M, Yao K, Atsé Y. 2014. Etude comparée de la croissance et de la survie des hybrides Sarotherodon melanotheron X Oreochromis niloticus, de O. niloticus et des tilapias autochtones des lagunes Ivoiriennes (S. melanotheron et Tilapia guineensis). Livestock Research for Rural Development 26(1), 1-8.

Jennings DP, Williams JD. 1993. Factors influencing the distribution of blackchin tilapia, Sarotherodon melanotheron, in the Indian River system, Florida. Northeast Gulf Science 12(2), 111-117.

Le Ruyet JP, Labbe L, Le Bayon N, Severe A, Le Rou A, Le Delliou H, Quemener L. 2008. Combined effects of water quality and stocking density on welfare and growth of rainbow trout. Aquatic Living Resources 2, 185-195.

MIRAH. 2022a. Récentes évolutions dans le secteur de l’aquaculture en Côte d’Ivoire. Atelier de validation de la méthodologie du système intégré de collecte et de traitement de données statistiques de production aquacole, Abidjan, 06 avril 2022, 35 p.

MIRAH. 2022b. Politique nationale de développement de l’élevage, de la pèche et de l’aquaculture (PONADEPA 2022-2026), Abidjan Côte d’Ivoire, 178 p.

MIRAH. 2019. Annuaire des statistiques des pêches et de l’aquaculture. Direction de l’Aquaculture et des pêches (DAP), 30 p.

Osofero SA, Otubusin SO, Daramola JA. 2009. Effect of stocking density on O. niloticus growth and survival in bamboo-net cages. African Journal of Biotechnology  8(7), 1322-1325.

Ouattara NI, N’Douba V, Kone T, Snoeks J, Philippart JC. 2005. Performances de croissance d’une souche isolée du tilapia estuarien Sarotherodon melanotheron (Perciformes, Cichlidae) en bassins en béton, en étangs en terre et en cages flottantes. Annale de l’Université Marien Ngouabi 6(1), 113-119.

Ouattara NI, Teugels GG, N’Douba V, Philippart JC. 2003. Aquaculture potential of the black-chinned tilapia, Sarotherodon melanotheron (Cichlidae). Comparative study of the effect of stocking density on growth performance of landlocked and natural populations under cage culture conditions in Lake Ayame (Côte d’Ivoire), Aquaculture Research 34(13), 1223-1229.

Ross LG. 2000. Environmental physiology and energetics. In Tilapias: Biology and Exploitation, Beveridge MCM, McAndrew BJ (eds). Springer Netherlands (Fish and Fisheries Series): Netherlands, 89-128.

Source : Effect of stocking density on the growth and survival of Tilapia juveniles (Sarotherodonmelanotheron) reared in happas at Layo station (Dabou, Côte d’Ivoire)

  

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