Phenotypic characteristics of native edible snails Achatina fulica and Archachatina marginata in equatorial region of Cameroon

Between February and May 2019, in the equatorial forest urbanized area of Cameroon (Mfoundi), a study was conducted and aimed to contribute on a better understanding of the biodiversity of edible snails for their genetic improvement and conservation. A total of 693 adult snails of two species: Archachatina marginata and Achatina fulica were collected in the various localities (Odza, Mbankolo, Biyem-assi, Nyom, Nkolbisson and Simbok). Information about biometric morpho characters was collected using a survey sheet, an electronic scale of 7000g capacity with accuracy of plus or minus 1g, a sliding foot with an accuracy of plus or minus 0.01 millimeter. A digital camera will be used for the subsequent morphological assessment of the animals. Results revealed significant influence of locality on all the morphobiometric characteristics. The shell color of A. marginata was black with yellowish stripes and the red tip was the most frequent (62.85%); while for the species A. fulica it was brown with white stripes and white tip (76.09%). The most common color of the foot in A. marginata was brown with white traces (41.70%) and in A. fulica, it was black (82.50%). The number of shell turns in A. marginata was higher in the localities of Mbankolo (5.36±0.12) and Odza (5.38±0.05) while in A. fulica it was higher in the locality of Simbok (7.41±0.49). Concerning body measurements (in mm), the total body length of A. marginata was higher in Nkolbisson (88.10±1.30) and that of A. fulica was greater in Simbok (112.25±12.16). The live weight (g) of A. marginata was higher in Mbankolo (70±0.00) on the other hand, that of A. fulica was higher in Simbok (80±0.02) and Nyom (80±0.12). The diversity observed suggests that edible snails constitutes rich natural genetic resources enough variability to envisage genetic improvement and develop preservation schemes for these snails mostly collected from wild