Impact of pesticides exposure on Archachatina marginata snails in four Cameroon monomodal rainforest sites.

Cameroon monomodal rainforest zone has a strong agricultural activity and is therefore exposed to pesticides. Furthermore, the area possesses climatic factors that favor the growth of Achatinadea snails known as African giant snails, a delicacy for the local population. The present study aimed to evaluate pesticides contamination (less vs more exposed areas) through assessment of exposure and impact on Achatinadea snails. Achatinadea snails were collected within intensive agricultural areas (Njombe and Kribi rural) and in areas with less agricultural activity (Ebodje and Dibombari). Collection was performed at night between July and September 2020 using an adapted square kilometer method. Type, number, weight, and size of the collected snails were analyzed and compared using Welsh's One-way Analysis of variance (ANOVA). After removing the soft part from the shell, the presence of pesticides was determined using mass spectrometry. Histological analysis of kidney and ovo-testis was performed using eosin-hematoxylin staining. Results showed that the main variety of snails collected are Archachatina marginata. In areas with less agricultural activity, snails are bigger than those from more agricultural areas heavily using pesticides. Furthermore, pesticides detection showed that glyphosate, but not metalaxyl, is present in animals coming from all the collection sites. Cypermethrin was found in all the samples except in those from Dibombari. Histology revealed that the structure of the kidney and ovo-testis of snails from more exposed areas is impaired. In conclusion, this study revealed that some pesticides are transferred to snail and impair the structure of important organs.

Effects of the dietary replacement of maize with sun-dried cocoa pods on the performance of growing rabbits.

Twenty seven mixed-breed growing rabbits (1.2-1.3 kg body weight) aged 10-12 weeks were used to study the effects of the dietary replacement of maize with sun-dried cocoa pod husks on the performance of growing rabbits in a 6-week trial. Three treatment diets were compounded whereby sun-dried cocoa pod husks replaced maize at 0, 50, and 100 %, respectively. The animals were divided among the three treatment diets so that each diet had 3 replicates of 3 animals each. Feed intake and weight gain were recorded; faeces were also collected for digestibility trials, and cost analysis was also carried out. Results showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) in daily feed intake between the dietary treatments. However, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the final metabolic weights, total metabolic weight gain, daily growth rate, and feed conversion ratio between the treatments. The digestibility study showed a decrease in the digestibility of dry matter and metabolisable energy with the increase in cocoa pod husk inclusion. Cost analysis indicate that significant net gains can be made by incorporating 200 g sundried cocoa pod husks per kg of the diet of growing rabbits compared with the same proportion of maize. These results suggest that sun-dried cocoa pod husks can totally replace maize and provide a cheap source of energy in the diets of growing rabbits.