Asian Journal of Applied Sciences (ISSN: 2321 – 089) Volume 04 – Issue 02, April 2016 Asian Online Journals (www.ajouronline.com ) 534 Phenotypic Characterization of Two Snail Breeds Archachatina marginata(S) and Archachatina fulica(L) in Calabar, Cross River State Hannah Edim Etta 1* , Essien Archibong Okon 2 and Peace Archibong Ekpe 3 1 Biological Sciences Department, Cross River University of Technology, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. 2 Biological Sciences Department, Cross River University of Technology, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. 3 Genetics and Biotechnology Departmment, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State. * Corresponding author’s email: sarahrhoda [AT] yahoo.co.uk ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT---- Phenotypic qualities of two snail species commonly found in Calabar, Cross River State were studied. The snail species studied for comparing the differences and relationships between their phenotypic traits were Achachatina marginata(S) and Achatina fulica(L). A total of 100 snails were obtained and selected based on the presence of four whorls shells and used for the study. Parameters studied included body weight, body length, body width, shell mouth length and shell mouth width. Data collected were analyzed to obtain simple statistical values and phenotypic correlations between the two species. Data were also subjected to regression model for body weight predictions. Mean(X) body weights recorded were 135.250g and 137.554g for A. marginata and A. fulica, respectively. Only T-test results for body weight and shell mouth width were significantly(P<0.05) different; high, medium and low positive phenotypic correlations were observed between parameters measured. The highest positive, strong and closely related response(R=0.722) between width and body length was recorded by A. marginata. Results of this study could be harnessed for the characterization of snail species in Calabar for breeding purposes ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 1. INTRODUCTION Snails are soft-bodied molluscs with flat, broad, muscular foot and a distinct head which bears two pairs of tentacles or stalks with eyes positioned at the tips of the upper tentacles[1]. There are about 40,000 species of snails found throughout the world in the wild, out of which a few species have been found culturable[2]. A. marginata, commonly known as the giant African snail is native to West Africa – Cameroon through Democratic Republic of Congo[3]. A. fulica, on the other hand is native to East Africa especially Kenya and Tanzania, but has been gradually introduced to other parts of the world through the pet trade and as a food source[4]. The species, A. marginata (Fig. 1), has the potential to grow up to 120mm in length and 130mm in diameter with 6-7 whorls. The shell has a brownish yellow colouration with fairly uniformly arranged bands and zig-zag lines or spots that are dark-brown or reddish brown in colour. The columella, outer lip and inside the aperture (mouth) are white or pale blue. The apex of the shell is likely flattened, bulbous and pale or pinkish. The body colour of the animal is variable(albino or tan to ash to grey)[5;6;3]. The adult A. fulica (Fig. 2) has a height of about 7cm and can reach a length of 20cm or more. The shell has a conical shape, being about twice as high as it is broad. Either clockwise (sinistral) or counter clockwise(dextral) directions can be observed in the coiling of the shell although, the right-handed (dextral) cone is more common. Shell colouration is highly variable and diet – dependent. Typically, brown is the predominant colour and the shell is branded.[7]. Snails are known as a potential sustainable food source for humans. [8] stated that about 38% of snails’ total weight, representing the foot, is edible. The foot, which is the meat, is highly nutritious with a protein content of 37.51%, iron content of 45-59mg/kg, fat content of 0.05-0.08%, making it the ideal meat for hypertensive patients[9]. Snails have also been recorded as aiding the treatment of ailments like whooping cough, anemia, ulcer, asthma, age problems and rheumatism [10]. A qualitative measure of the animals’ conformation is desirable as this will enable reliable genetic parameters for a given trait to be estimated and therefore allow its inclusion in breeding programmes[11]. [12] and [13] state that the body weight and body parameters such as shell length, shell width, shell thickness, shell mouth length and