Field Study on the Amber Snail Succinea Putris (Linnaeus) (Succineidae: Mollusca)

Rady ,G.H.1 ; Abdelgawad ,A.A 1 ; Ismail , S.A.; 2 ; Lokma ,M.H.; 2

Abstract

This study on the amber snail, Succinea putris )L.) was conducted in an infested Egyptian clover field (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) in AL- ALakma village,Hehia county at Sharkia Governorate during the period from December 2007 till June 2008.Field observations showed that the active season of this snail durated 3.5 months from December and prolonged to beginning of March. It was found that number of egg clutches and clutch size were significantly changed through this active period. Most clutches were deposited in February with a higher rate of 2.2 clutches. Field examination declared that clutch size was greater during the beginning of active oviposition period than at its end. This size ranged from 8 to 51 eggs with an average of 14.2± 3.38 eggs/clutch. This species aestivated as adults and juvenile stages during summer months under weeds, irrigation canals border and in soil cracks. Two years may be required for this snail to complete its life cycle and reach maturity.

Key words

S. putris, active season, clutches, eggs, clutch size