Data from: Effects of mate availability on egg production in the marsh ramshorn snail, <i>Planorbella trivolvis</i>, and ghost ramshorn snail, <i>Biomphalaria havanensis</i>

Pulmonate snails are the first intermediate host in the life cycle of Bolbophorus damnificus, an important digenetic trematode in Mississippi catfish aquaculture. Two species, the marsh ramshorn snail Planorbella trivolvis and the ghost ramshorn snail Biomphalaria havanensis, commonly inhabit commercial catfish ponds in northwest Mississippi, USA. Low-level, repeated applications of copper sulfate have negative effects on snail reproduction and are effective in reducing snail populations in commercial catfish ponds, although they must be applied judiciously to minimize the phytotoxic and ichthyotoxic effects of copper. At present, little is known regarding population dynamics of these snails and underlying mechanisms driving their proliferation in catfish aquaculture ponds. This study investigated effects of mate availability on egg production in both snail species. Twelve individuals of each species were assigned to one of three treatments based on access to potential mates: continuously (“control”), weekly (“cyclic”), or at a single timepoint (“solitary”). Eggs were collected weekly, and the number of clutches, eggs, and non-viable eggs counted. The study ended at 21 weeks, one week after the final B. havanensis had died. More than 93,000 eggs were counted during the study, with over 60% from P. trivolvis.</p