FACTORS AFFECTING THE SURVIVAL AND GROWTH OF THE LAND SNAIL DYAKIA STRIATA AND THE PRESENCE AND FLASHING RATE OF ITS PHOTOGENIC ORGAN

Abstract

Dyaltia striata is the only land snail that is known to produce light. The light is produced by a photogenic organ which is found at the anterior of the head-foot region. Virtually nothing is known about factors affecting the presence and loss of the organ or its rate of flashing. My project examined the abiotic ani biotic factors that influence the survival and growth of Dyakia and the loss of organ and its rate of flashing. The results indicated that both intrinsic and extrinsic factors affected not only the survival and growth rates of the snails but also the presence and flashing rate of the organ. Therefore, changes in presence of organ and rate of flashing are not simply a result of maturity as suggested by Martoja and Bassot (1970). Flashing is believed to be used for aggregating and mating.