HAEMOLYMPH BIOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF GIANT AFRICAN LAND SNAIL (ARCHACHATINA MARGINATA) FROM SOUTHWEST, NIGERIA
HAEMOLYMPH BIOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF GIANT AFRICAN LAND SNAIL (ARCHACHATINA MARGINATA) FROM SOUTHWEST, NIGERIA
by
Akinusi et al
ABSTRACT
The six southwest states of Nigeria are richly endowed with high population of giant
African land snails (GALS), but also differ in their vegetation types and climatic
factors. This study examines the haemolymph biochemical properties of the land snail,
(Archachatina marginata) from the six southwest states (Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun,
Ondo and Ekiti). Organic (protein, lipids, glucose) and inorganic (Na, K, Ca, Cl, PO ) 4
composition of snails’ haemolymph were determined by standard methods. Results
showed that GALS from Oyo state had the highest lipids and glucose concentrations in
the haemolymph while Ondo and Ekiti states recorded the least. Protein was the most
abundant (33.83g/l-49.37g/l) organic substance while lipids were the least (23.93mg/dl33-93mg/dl). There were significant differences (p<0.05) in the concentrations of
inorganic substances in the haemolymph across the six states. Snails from Oyo state
+ 2+ –
recorded significantly higher (p<0.05) concentrations of Na , Ca and Cl than those of
+ –
other states. Also Na and Cl were the most common anions in snails’ haemolymph
from the six states. It can be concluded that snails from Oyo state had better
haemolymph biochemical properties than other south west states of Nigeria.
Keywords: haemolymph, Archachatina marginata, southwest, Nigeria, biochemical