Consequences of Aestivation in the Giant African Land Snail Achatina fulica Bowdich (Gastropoda: Achatinidae)

The consequences of aestivation in the giant African land snails Achatina fulica Bowdich occurring in Calcutta, India have been studied. It was noted that these snails under laboratory conditions, during aestivation had to face the hazards when the body weight was reduced by 50.33 %, the heart rate was reduced by 85 %, the oxygen consumption rate was reduced by 83 %, the blood sugar level was reduced by 50 %, the concentration on Ca++ and Mg++ ions was increased by 50 and 34 %, respectively, and the amount of haemolypmh protein was increased by 33 %, for survival. The effects were not much rigorous in aestivated snails in the field due to interruption of aestivation because of occasional shower. Though the snails, irrespective of size-groups had to face the consequences of aestivation, the extent of effect is very much influenced by the water content of the snail’s body concerned.