www.scholarsresearchlibrary.com t Available online a Scholars Research Library Annals of Biological Research, 2014, 5 (1):64-79 (http://scholarsresearchlibrary.com/archive.html) ISSN 0976-1233 CODEN (USA): ABRNBW 64 Scholars Research Library Banding pattern and shape morphology variations on shells of the invasive giant African land snail Achatinafulica (Bowdich 1822) from the Philippines Jade Marie M. Sobrepeña and Cesar G. Demayo Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, Andres Bonifacio Avenue, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Philippines _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT One of the most notable variations observed in the morphology of the invasive giant African land snail Achatinafulica is the different banding patterns and shell shape morphology. This study aims to assess the correlation of shell shape and banding patterns among populations of A. fulica. Samples were collected from 15 different provinces in the Philippines. A total of 14 banding patterns were assigned based on the streaks observed on the body whorl. Generally, relative warp analysis showed variation in shell shape which could be slender shaped or round-looking shells. A varied spire-whorl length and aperture shape was also observed in the samples. Histograms and box-and-whiskers plots illustrated multimodal variationson the shell shapes of the banding patterns. Canonical variance analysis scatter plots presentedoverlapping of populations of the different banding patterns. Although there were no observable differences on the mean shapes of the different banding patterns, the MANOVA/CVA scores, Kruskal-Wallist test, and Cluster analysis showed significant morphology variations. The scatters distribution and short distance of variation suggest a wide intrapopulation variation. The findings of this study noted that although there were differences and similarities in the shell shapes or mean shapes of a banding pattern, it is not substantial to conclude that genetics or environmental factor alone caused the phenomena. Key words: A. fulica, banding pattern, geometric morphometrics, invasive snail, morphology, shell shape _____________________________________________________________________________________________ INTRODUCTION The giant African snail was reported as one of the most ecologically damaging land snails [1,2] and the Global Invasive Species Database ranked it as number two among the “100 Worst Alien Invasive Species” [3]. Their invasiveness connotes how they are able to adapt to different environmental conditions [4].This foraging species multiply rapidly. Additionally, host range of these snails includes 500 plants species [5]. This snail my reach high abundance and cause important economic loose under favorable environmental conditions [6]. Several studies onA. fulicahave been focused on its dispersal, distribution and biology around the world [6-20]. However, information of the known factors affecting their biology is still lacking. Being an invasive species makes A. fulicaan interesting species in studying evolution sincethis species exhibit wide morphological diversity both within and among populationsthus providing an excellent opportunity to study the evolution of phenotypic differences[21-25]. From its origin in East Africa to the different parts of the world including the Philippines, many variations of the giant African snail have been observed. Variations within and among populations, may indicate that