Culture of the gastropod Melongena corona bispinosa (Neogastropoda: Melongenide) under laboratory conditions

The gastropod Melongena corona bispinosa represents a job source for the inhabitants from Chuburna, Yucatan, Mexico, where it is exploited throughout the year by hand catching. Approximately 70 % of the citizens (1,000 people) catch of 3 kg of meat per eight hour day per person, representing 40 tons per year of live weight. This study determined the growth and survival of M corona bispinosa provided two feeds with three feeding schedules. Meat of the clam Polymesoda maritima, (natural food of M corona) and tilapia food (PURINA). The schedules were 3 %, 6 % and 9 % of the gastropod biomass (wet weight). The growth rate in shell length and total wet weight were 32 mum/day and 4 mug/day, respectively, with 3 % of P. maritima, 28 mum/day and 5 mug/day with 6 %, and 29 mum/day and 6 mug/day with 9 %. In constrast, the growth rate obtained from tilapia feed was the same for the three schedules (12 mum/day and 3 mug/day). Analysis of survival does not reveal any significant differences between treatments. Analysis between schedules and foods with physiological conditions index was done. M. corona bispinosa have suitable characteristic for the culture. This work provides the basis for a culture program for this species.