Effect of environmental factors on the fecundity, hatchability and survival of snail Lymnaea (Radix) acuminata (Lamarck): vector of fascioliasis.
Lymnaea acuminata breeds round the year. The effect of pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, carbon dioxide, light/dark period and clean/polluted water on the fecundity, hatchability and survival of young snails of L. acuminata were studied. It was observed that these environmental variant abiotic factors caused a significant variation in fecundity, hatchability and survival of young snails. Maximum reproduction of this snail was observed in the months of March to May. A significant positive correlation (p<0.05) between D.O. (3.1-7.7 ppm)/pH (7.01-8.96) of water with fecundity (6.0-196.33/20 snails), hatchability (54.69-96.91%) and survival (61.3-95.86%) of young snails was observed for each month and each interval of 24-72 h. In contrast, a significant negative correlation between dissolved CO2 (4.6-16.6 ppm)/temperature (16-37 degrees C) of water was noted with fecundity, hatchability and survival of snails. Percent hatchability in the eggs in different regimens of water was between 96.91-54.69%. The hatching period was prolonged (2-14 days) in snail exposed to different groups of water compared to the control group (2-9 d). This study conclusively shows that variant abiotic factors in different months of the year can significantly alter the reproductive ability and development process in the snail Lymnaea acuminata.
Jigyasu
Harsh Vardhan
HV
Department of Zoology, D.D.U. Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur 273009, U.P., India.
Singh
Vinay Kumar
VK
D000818:Animals; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D005211:Fascioliasis / Q000635:transmission*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008195:Lymnaea / Q000502:physiology*; D010063:Ovum / Q000502:physiology; D010100:Oxygen / Q000737:chemistry; D013696:Temperature; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
D014867:Water; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D010100:Oxygen