Department of Zoology (Environmental Science), D.D.U., Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur, 273009, U.P., e-mail:vksingh_gpu@yahoo.co.in, harshgpu@gmail.com.
The role of a number of environmental factors (temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, carbon dioxide, light/dark period and clean/dirty water) of the water on the reproduction of pond snail Lymnaea acuminata was studied. It was observed that the fecundity of snails, kept in glass aquarium having a regular change of water at every 24h was highest than other set of experiment. Lowest fecundity was observed in the snails kept domestic waste water of Ramgarh lake because of low dissolved oxygen and highest concentration of carbon dioxide. Fecundity in snails kept in aerated water was higher than Ramgarh lake water. The ovipository activity was low in snails kept in dark condition for 24h than light exposed snails. Temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH of water show a significant positive correlation with fecundity of snails, whereas carbon dioxide shows a significantly negative correlation with the snail fecundity. It is concluded that neuroendocrine Caudo-Dorsal Cells (CDCs) producing the ovulation hormone of Lymnaea respond to different change in component factors of water with the release of egg laying hormone. Change in quality of water may be a natural stimulus for fecundity of snails.
Environmental factors, reproduction, fasciolosis, CDCs, Lymnaea acuminata
