The “Sandwich” System: A Potential Solution for Protecting Overwintering <i>Cornu aspersum</i> Snails Reared in Semi-Intensive Heliciculture Farms in Colder Climates
Dan Manea,
Anișoara Aurelia Ienciu,
Ramona Ștef,
Ioan Peț,
Laura Șmuleac,
Ioana Grozea,
Alin Cărăbeț,
George Andrei Drăghici,
Dragoș Vasiles Nica
Affiliations
Dan Manea
Faculty of Agriculture, Banat’s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine “King Mihai I of Romania”, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timişoara, Romania
Anișoara Aurelia Ienciu
Faculty of Agriculture, Banat’s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine “King Mihai I of Romania”, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timişoara, Romania
Ramona Ștef
Faculty of Agriculture, Banat’s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine “King Mihai I of Romania”, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timişoara, Romania
Ioan Peț
Faculty of Bioengineering of Animal Resources, Banat’s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine “King Mihai I of Romania”, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timişoara, Romania
Laura Șmuleac
Faculty of Agriculture, Banat’s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine “King Mihai I of Romania”, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timişoara, Romania
Ioana Grozea
Faculty of Agriculture, Banat’s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine “King Mihai I of Romania”, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timişoara, Romania
Alin Cărăbeț
Faculty of Agriculture, Banat’s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine “King Mihai I of Romania”, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timişoara, Romania
George Andrei Drăghici
Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Piaţa Eftimie Murgu 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Dragoș Vasiles Nica
Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Piaţa Eftimie Murgu 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
(1) Background: Hibernation in pens covered with LFC was associated with high mortality of C. aspersum snails in Romanian snail farms. This three-year study aimed to develop a simple, but effective system for protecting breeders in colder climates. (2) Methods: The first phase investigated the (pre)hibernal burrowing behavior and the overwintering habitat choice. Protective structures based on straw, LFC, and/or HDPE were tested at pilot level (no snails). The most suitable system was applied under farm conditions. (3) Results: Wood and ridge-tile micro shelters were significantly preferred to corrugated iron micro shelters. Burrowing specimens acted as shallow-burrowers, and this behaviorwas significantly more common for looser soils. All pilot systems displayed significantly higher thermal protection efficiency compared to the sole use of LFC. The balance between straw moistening and thermal protection favored using structure soil/LFC/straw/10-cm air cushion/HDPE. Its use yielded significantly higher survival compared to the sole use of LFC. Most hibernating snails clustered together in large groups, attached on the lower surface of micro shelters. Predator occurrence appeared to marginally affect overwintering survival. (4) Conclusions: The “sandwich” system could be an effective solution for overwintering mature C. aspersum snails in colder climates.