Reproduction
In order to find out more information
about snail reproduction we looked at the reproduction habits of
similar snails. Pillsnails have a direct life cycle, from egg to
juvenile to adult, and are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs,
instead of having the eggs grow inside the female (Martin,
2000). The pillsnails are dioecious, which means each
individual plays the role of the male and female. Like
Euchemotrema leai their eggs are partly calcified and soft
and they are laid in pockets of moist soil (Martin,
2000).
Although the pillsnails are dioecious the norm is to mate
with another. Studies have shown that before mating most
Gastropods do a courtship ritual (Hickman
et al, 2007). During mating each individual plays the role
as both the male and female (Martin,
2007). After copulation, usable sperm can be stored in the
snails body for over a year (Martin,
2000).
After the eggs hatch the juvenile pillsnail is hard to
distinguish which species it is, due to the fact that the lip of
the shell is not reflected and their apertual teeth have not yet
developed, until it reaches a more mature phase of its life
cycle (Burch, 1962).
Facts
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