[Life history traits of the snail Helix aperta Born from Tunisia raised in a laboratory environment: influence of photoperiod].
The present work revealed that growth and reproduction of Helix aperta (syn. Cantareus apertus), sampled at the end of summer in the region of Bazina (Tunisia), are stimulated by short-day photoperiod (SD 8hL-16hD) and inhibited by long-day photoperiod (LD 18hL-6hD). Indeed, under SD at 20 degrees C, 80% humidity and ad libitum Helixal snail food, 2 generations (F1, F2) were obtained in 10 months with no refractory period. The effects of photoperiod on growth were found to be reversible and appeared after a time lag of 4 and 8 weeks for stimulation by SD and the inhibition by LD respectively.
de Vaufleury
Annette
A
Laboratoire chrono-environnement, UMR UFC/CNRS 6249 USC INR, université de Franche-Comté, place Leclerc, 25030 Besançon cedex, France. annette.devaufleury@univ-fcomte.fr
Gimbert
Frédéric
F
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D006372:Helix, Snails / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D006813:Humidity; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D017440:Photoperiod; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology; D012741:Sexual Maturation; D014416:Tunisia