The effect of different shell colors on helix lucorum (Gastropoda: Helicidae) in estivation period

In the study, the effect of white and black shell color on Turkish snail (Helix lucorum) was investigated in the estivation period. The shells of Helix lucorum were painted in black and white at the beginning of estivation. Three groups of three replicates were created; white group, black group and control group. 20 snails were planned for each group and 180 H. lucorum were used in total. Hypometabolic behavior procedure during estivation period was evaluated in three stages as entrance to estivation, estivation period and exit from estivation. The majority of snails painted in black during the estivation period chosed soil. The white ones collected on the glass surface of the pen (aquarium). Snails in the control group were fixed both in the soil area and on the glass surface. At the end of the estimation period, 40% of the black-painted group woke up from summer sleep on the first day. The black painted group exited 100% estivation on the fourth day. The group painted in white woke up on the tenth day and the control group completely on the fifth day. At the exit of estivation, the highest survival rate was found in the white-painted group (98%). Statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were deternined in the weight measurement values of snails painted in black color before and after estivation.