EFFECT OF AMINO ACID IMBALANCE IN ARTIFICIAL DIETS ON FOOD CHOICE AND FEEDING RATES IN TWO SPECIES OF TERRESTRIAL SNAILS, CEPAEA NEMORALIS AND ACHATINA FULICA

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Abstract
Postingestive response to dietary imbalance of amino acids was studied in two species of terrestrial pulmonate gastropods Cepaea nemoralis and Achatina fulica using agar-based chemical diets. Both species showed preference responses to an experimental diet complete in all nutrients, and aversive responses to experimental diets containing excesses of methionine (in concentrations 1-10% dry wt of diet). Aversion to methionine was stronger in Achatina than in Cepaea. One day's experience on a particular diet did not significantly affect an animal's subsequent feeding response on the same or different diets. What appeared to be more important in influencing food choice in both species was day-to-day contact with a given diet.