Reproductive Traits Variability in Black-Skinned and White-Skinned Archachatina marginata Snails and Their Hybrids

This study investigated the variability in reproductive traits of black-skinned and white-skinned Archachatina marginata snails and their hybrids.The experiment was conducted at the Niger Delta University Teaching and Research Farm, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.A total of 24 sexually mature snails, 12 black-skinned and 12 white-skinned, were used.The snails were organised into three mating groups: Black Skin purebred (BSBS), White Skin purebred (WSWS), and crossbred (BSWS), with each replicate consisting of two snails.All snails were maintained under a mixed feeding regime and provided with feed and water ad libitum.Results from the reproductive phase revealed that egg weight (1.86 g), egg length (2.53 cm), and egg width (2.20 cm) were highest in the white-skinned purebred group (WSWS), followed by the crossbred group (BSWS).However, clutch size was superior in the crossbred group, indicating the presence of heterosis, as the hybrids outperformed at least one of the parental lines.Phenotypic correlation analysis of hatchling traits showed varying degrees of positive correlations among traits across the different groups, with some traits exhibiting strong associations while others displayed weaker correlations.Based on these findings, crossbreeding between black-skinned and white-skinned A. marginata (BSWS) is recommended, as it not only demonstrated improved reproductive performance over one of the parent lines but also retained the black foot coloration, an important trait for mitigating religious taboos associated with white-footed snails.