Influence de la densité animale sur la croissance et la reproduction de l'escargot Limicolariaflammea (Müller) en conditions d'elevage

juvenile snails of limicolaria flammea (müller) of approximately two months old, with 1,20 ± 0,02 g average live weight and 15,37 ± 2,34 mm average shell length were subjected four densities (100, 200, 300 and 400 snails/m2) during 12 months in order to determine their effect on growth and reproduction. the best biological performances were obtained with the density of 100 snails/m2 which induced high food intake (0,14 ± 0,002 g/day/g of live weight), better growth and low mortality (16%). this density induced high number of laid eggs, high number of eggs per laying and a high percentage of hatching (70,33%) after a relatively short duration of incubation (12 ± 1,8 days). at a density of 400 snails/m2, snails nourished themselves little (0,005 ± 0,002 g/day/g of live weight), reproduced slightly and had 60% of mortality.