Research Information System
Molluscan Research, vol.44, no.4, pp.381-388, 2024 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
A convenient and acceptable method of anaesthetisation is still unresolved in gastropods, particularly Cornu aspersum. The aim of this study was to determine the anaesthetic effects of freezing at −20°C for different periods, including 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 45, 60, 120, 180 and 240 min on C. aspersum. Following cold treatments, the snails were checked for anaesthesia and recovery behaviours using a 5-score evaluation based on the responses at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 45, 60, 120, 180, 240, 1440 and 2880 min. The responses evaluated were reflex, movement, mucus secretion and survival. The results showed that 60 min of cold exposure was stressful and that longer periods of freezing than this treatment were lethal for C. aspersum. The results indicate that the optimum duration of freezing for a desired anaesthesia evaluated based on the reflex and movement responses is 10 min.