Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Liguus fasciatus, mating in their natural habitad

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Liguus fasciatus mating from Juan C Aguero on Vimeo.

" Florida Tree Snails are hermaphroditic, meaning they have both male and female
sexual organs. Hillis (1989) investigated with laboratory breeding and found that partial
self-fertilization (a single clutch containing both self-fertilized and outcrossed eggs) does
occur in L. fasciatus solidus. Their genetalia are located on the right side of the head and
behind the antennae. The snail is sexually mature in their third year and they can locate
mates by following slime trials (Brown, 1978). Mating occurs between the months of
June and August with a 1-2 day courtship and then egg deposition occurs in the months
of September and October (Jones, 1954). One to fifty eggs, which are a thin, elliptical,
pale brown, calcareous shell, (Pilsbry, 1912) are deposited in the nests built in the leaf
litter four to five centimeters deep (Voss, 1976). The eggs hatch the following April in
concurrence with the beginning of the rainy season. Simpson (1929a) and Voss (1976
observed excessive numbers of dead snails soon after the egg laying period which reflects
a high post reproductive mortality rate."

Jason R. Fadely. May 2009 "Population Distribution of Liguus fasciatus solidus in Long Pine Key of Everglades National Park."


Liguus fasciatus - Mating in their natural habitad. from Juan C Aguero on Vimeo.


© Juan C Aguero (juanKa)

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