Effects of intermittent starvation on mature Biomphalaria glabrata (Gastropoda: Planorbidae)

Abstract

Mature Biomphalaria glabrata, submitted to four weeks of varied starvation times (0, 1, 3, 5, 6 & 7 d.week-1, were thereafter refed during four weeks. The different intermittent starvation times had no significant effect on snails survival. As weekly starvation increased, the rate of change in body weight and fecundity decreased. In snails fed one or two d.week -1, the rate of change in body weight was negative, while fecundity remained at a low level. Continuous hunger stopped oviposition.Starvation had no further effect on body growth after the first week of refeeding; however, its effect on fecundity remained significant over the two first weeks.