Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

Larval development of salt-marsh snail Melampus ceylonicus (Ellobiidae : Pulmonata) from Pitchavaram Mangroves, Tamil Nadu.

Volume 29 Issue 1&2

A. Shanmugham and R. Kasinathan

Abstract

The early larval development of a salt marsh snail Melampus ceylonicus was studied from the Pitchavaram mangroves, Tamil Nadu. It was found that the pulmonate snail follows a semilunar synchrony in it's egg laying and hatching. The trochophore comes out after 9-11 days and the veliger 13-15 days. The eggs collected from the field were being brought to the laboratory and further development was observed by placing them in the petridishes having moistoned filter paper. The development can be observed successfully upto the veliger stage. Free swimming veligers are also seen in the water samples collected from it's habitat. From the water sample collections it was noticed that the veligers spent 3-6 weeks before settling.

Date : 31-12-1987