Vol. 14 No. 8 (1999): August
Paper

Food and feeding behaviour of the land snail, Macrochalamys nuda (Pfeiffer) (Stylommatophora: Ariophantidae) from Kumaon Himalayan Forests

Published 1999-08-21

Abstract

The food and feeding behaviour of the land snail, Macrochlamys nuda were investigated under laboratory and field conditions 1995.  Of the 39 species of plants including trees, weeds, peridophytes, bryophytes, ornamental flowering platns and vegetable plants, were offered for feeding in labortary, 28% were rejected by the snail.  Twelve species of plants viz - Urtica parvifloara, Rubia cordifolia, Sonchus asper, Poa annua, Galinsoga ciliata (weeds), Iris germanica (flowring plant), Raphanus sativus, Brassica oleracea var. botrytis, Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera, Cucurbita pepo, Cucumis melo, Coriandrum sativum (vegetable plants) were highly acceptable.  Ornamental and vegetable plants were preferred to wild plants. This species was not found to be carnivorous and is selective in choosing its food plants.  All 5 speceis of trees and 3 species of bryophytes offered were completely rejected by the snail.