Influence of substrate on life cycle aspects of Bradybaena similaris (Férussac, 1821) (Mollusca, Bradybaenidae) under laboratory conditions

Abstract

Substrate provides land snails with moisture, food and protection. The aim of this work was to study the growth, survival, aspects of reproduction and feeding of individuals of Bradybaena similaris (Férussac, 1821) kept in three different substrates for 180 days - 60 recently hatched snails in each substrate: vegetable land, sand and clay. Sand was the best substrate for B. similaris development, due to the fact that snails raised in this substrate grew larger, had a higher survival rate, began to oviposit earlier, produced more number of eggs and ate more food than those in any of the other substrates. In clay, snails grew less, began to oviposit later and they consumed less food than those kept in vegetable land and sand. In vegetable land, snails showed a lower survival rate, lower eggs production and none of the eggs laid in this substrate hatched. This largest growth, highest survival rate and largest eggs production of animals kept in sand could be attributed to their eating more food. Therefore, in this study we could establish a relationship between substrate and biology of B. similaris.