Journal of Biological Sciences1727-30481812-5719Asian Network for Scientific Information10.3923/jbs.2015.98.101Archachatina marginata) Based on Four Whorls in Calabar, Nigeria]]>EtukudoO.M. BIna-iborO. EkeretteE.E. 22015152The comparative study of egg quality traits of black-skinned and white-skinned ectotypes of snails (Archachatina marginata) based on four whorls were studied using sixty adult snails. The snails were managed in captivity for three months using hutches, embedded with steriled, loamy soil to generate eggs for the study. Egg quality traits evaluated include number of eggs laid, egg weight, length and width. The snails were divided into two mating groups, black-skinned x black-skinned and white-skinned x white-skinned ectotypes of snails. Data collected were subjected to t-test. Results showed that the black-skinned ectotype laid 112 eggs from 13 clutches, while the white-skinned ectotype laid 98 eggs from 11 clutches. The results of the egg quality traits analyzed showed high significant differences (p<0.05) between the two ectotypes of snails based on four whorls. The results of the phenotypic correlation of the egg quality traits also revealed a highly significant (p<0.001) mean number of egg, mean egg weight, length and width between the two ectotypes of snails. The highly and positive correlation between the egg quality traits could suggest that there are direct relationships between the traits and selection for one trait leads to improvement of the other trait. It is recommended that snails with 5, 6 and 7 whorls should be used for analysis of egg quality traits since the number of whorls are yet to be used as a standard for estimating the age of snails.]]>Akinnusi, O.,1997142223Ebenso, I.E.,2003Archachatina marginata in Nigeria.]]>15156158Ibe, S.N.,1998Ibom, L.A. and B. Okon,2012Archachatina Marginata var. Saturalis (P) Snail.]]>2145149Ibom, L.A.,2009Archachatina marginata (Swainson)] in Obubra, Nigeria.]]>2009Ibom, L. A. and B. Okon,2010Archachatina marginata (Swainson)] in a humid tropical environment.]]>2010pp: 2831Ibom, L.A., B. Okon and L.E. Asuquo,2014Archachatina marginata var. saturalis) in Obubra, Nigeria.]]>4120123Ibom, L.A., B. Okon and A. Essien,2008Archachatina marginata (Swainson) raised in captivity.]]>7119121Ibom, L.A., B. Okon and B.E.E. Bassey,2012Archachatina marginata snails.]]>11018Madukwe, M.C.,20042004pp: 206-236pp: 206-236Ogogu, A.U.,1989Archachatina marginata) (Swainson).]]>1989Ogogu, A.U.,2004pp: 134-154pp: 134-154Okon, B. and L.A. Ibom,2012Pages: 90Pages: 90Okon, B., L.A. Ibom and E.E. Odido,201160153156Okon, B., L.A. Ibom, I.A. Ekpo and E.C. Ewa,2009Archachatina marginata saturalis (Swainson)].]]>1282348241Akpakpan, I.E., M.E. Williams, I.A. Ibom and B. Okon,200987780Okon, B., L.A. Ibom, M.E. William, G.D. Eyoh and U.P. Afangideh,2011Archachatina marginata var. saturalis) under mixed feeding with graded levels of swamp taro cocoyam (Cytosperma chamissonis) and forages.]]>42940Omole, A.J. and A.S. Kehinde,2005pp: 98-102pp: 98-102Plummer, J.M.,1975Archachatina (Calachatina) marginata (Swainson) subspecies Ovum.]]>41395413Reid, J.C.,1989Pages: 21Pages: 21