Seleção alimentar e influência de diferentes dietas sobre o crescimento, a reprodução e a sobrevivência de Bulimulus tenuissimus (d’ Orbigny, 1835) (Mollusca, Bulimulidae) em condições de laboratório

Abstract

Food selection includes features related to food, as taste and attractiveness, and may be related to the physiological conditions of the snail. Thus, food exerts great influence on the development of land snails, which can interfere in the reproductive activity of these animals. The objectives of this study were to verify the food selection and the influence of different diets on growth, reproduction and the survival of Bulimulus tenuissimus under laboratory conditions. Groups of snails were fed with six different food items, potato, chayote, cucumber, carrot, apple and ration, which were offered separately or combined for a period of 210 days. The food selection was observed by food softer and with higher levels of calcium (ration and chayote) and the beneficial effects of the combination of diets on growth, fecundity and survival of this species, probably due to the increase in the availability of nutrients.