Among the five coexisting species of snail in Edessa (N. Greece), Bradybaena fruticum and Helix lucorum dominated in density and biomass in comparison with Xeropicta arenosa, Monacha cartusiana and Cepaea vindobonensis. Resting places of each species in relation to plant cover and diet preferences are examined seasonally and throughout a year. Discriminant analysis for the annual data showed that 83% of the snail group species could be differentiated by the plants on which they were attached. Each snail species was usually found sitting on one of the most abundant plants. Cepaea preferred to sit on and eat senescent material even in spring time and Bradybaena green material. In spring, the snails did not consume plant material in proportion to the occurrence of those plants but they usually did so in summer and in autumn. Hedera helix was not consumed even when it was abundant. In spring and autumn the snails had consumed plants to which they were found attached, but in summer they did not.

In this study, the structural and management characteristics of snail farms in Greece were analyzed to maximize sustainable food production. Objectives, such as the classification of farming systems and assessing the effects of various annual production parameters, were investigated. Data were collected (2017) via a questionnaire, and sampling was conducted in 29 snail farms dispersed in six different regions (Thrace, Central Macedonia, West Macedonia, Thessaly, Western Greece, and the Attica Islands). Descriptive statistics for continuous variables and frequencies for categorical variables were calculated. The similarity between farms was analyzed using nonmetric multidimensional scaling (nMDS). The average farm operation duration exceeded eight months and the mean annual production was 1597 kg of fresh, live snails. Results recorded five farming systems: elevated sections (7%), net-covered greenhouse (38%), a mixed system with a net-covered greenhouse (10%), open field (38%), and mixed system with an open field (7%). Snail farms differ in the type of substrate, available facilities, and equipment (60% similarity between most of the open field farms). The geographical location of a farms’ settlement affects productivity but also influences the duration of operation, especially in open field farms, due to their operation under a wide assortment of climatic types.

The Atlantic pearl oyster, Pinctada radiata (Leach, 1814), is an Indo-Pacific bivalve of the subtidal zone that has colonized habitats all over the Mediterranean. There is a lack of detailed information on the reproductive activity of P. radiata in Hellenic waters, especially following the recent amendment of national legislation aiming to regulate the fishery and prevent illegal fishing and trafficking as a substitute for indigenous oysters. A total of 703 individuals were collected by scuba diving from the southwest part of Evia Island. Gonad microscopic examination indicated that gametogenesis occurs from February to September, with a recovery stage in early autumn. Synchronicity occurs for both sexes, with temperature being the main controlling factor. The annual recruitment pattern indicated two prominent peaks of similar magnitude. Analysis of covariance indicated a significant temperature effect on gonad index above 22 degrees. Onset of sexual maturity (L₅₀) was estimated at 47.2 mm in shell height and 27.09 gr in total weight for the entire population. The sex ratio was in favor of females at 1:1.70, with 7% and 19% of the individuals assessed macroscopically and microscopically identified as hermaphrodites, respectively. Results offer valuable information for the management and conservation of pearl oyster populations.

In the present study was examined the economic viability and the production techniques of commercial snail farms, grounded in Peloponnese (Southern Greece). The primary data were collected through personal interviews from a sample of nine snail farms, during the years of 2009 and 2010. The farms produce fresh snails Cornu aspersum, raised and reproduced in net covered greenhouses with vegetation and artificial food provision. The impact of the production cost and the selling price on the business profitability was examined. A comparative presentation of profits and expenses was conducted for the economic viability control and the Net Present Value criterion was applied, as an indication of potential profitability of the investment plan. The net cash flows were estimated for a time period of ten years and sensitivity analysis was applied for a variation rate of 20% (with 5% as the discounting interest rate). The initial investment was 19.478 €, 60% of this concerns expenses for the creation of the net covered greenhouse. The annual revenue was estimated to 20.028€ during an average year (3 rd year) within the ten-year evaluation horizon. In the selling price of 5,3 €/kg the investment was deemed marginally economically viable. Problems which concerned mainly the design of the livestock installations but also the productions techniques were detected. Sensitivity analysis, demonstrated that the enterprise was sensitive to variations of the product's selling price (of fresh snails) and less sensitive to variations of feeding cost (of the green vegetables and artificial diet). Heliciculture has the potential to constitute an innovative and viable agricultural activity with economic, social and environmental benefits.

The life cycle of Xerolenta obvia (Menke, 1828) was studied in two areas, Paleokastro (Chalkidiki), an inland mountainous area, and Nea Karvali (Kavala), a coastal area in northern Greece. At Paleokastro snails hatch in autumn, become adult the following July, but do not lay eggs until October, after which they die. Clutch sizes are small, but eggs and hatchlings are large compared with those at Nea Karvali. Growth is fast in spring, and continues until the end of July. The young hatchlings have dark shell-bands, but by July a quarter of snails appear unbanded. At Nea Karvali, eggs are also laid in October, and young snails emerge from hibernation in March. Here, however, they do not mature until April of the following year. They thus have a 2-year life cycle, with adults dying in their second autumn. Clutches are about three times the size of those at Paleokastro, but eggs and hatchlings are significantly smaller. A little growth occurs in winter, but the rate of growth is generally much slower than at Paleokastro. Only 1–2% of this population has banded shells; the bands are less obvious and they become invisible in some individuals as they mature. At both sites population density fluctuated during the two study years, but it was always higher at Nea Karvali. These results are discussed in relation to the differing climates of the sites, and comparisons made with studies on related species in the region.

Research background. This study fulfils a need for investigation of a quality profile of snail fillets. Edible snails are a famous food product consumed worldwide and treated as delicacy. Nutritional value, colour and textural properties, such as hardness, are critical factors that impact consumer acceptance of the product. Hardness of snail meat is affected by its native original microstructure. Experimental approach. Fresh snails of the farmed species Cornu aspersum maximum, wild and farmed Cornu aspersum aspersum and wild Helix lucorum were used in order to investigate the qualitative profile of snail meat. Proximate composition, hardness and colour measurements were conducted on fillets of all species. The histological structure of the fillets of Cornu aspersum maximum was examined. Results and conclusions. Quality parameters of snail fillets were studied. A novel method of hardness analysis was proposed where the cylindrical part of snail fillets from the mid-posterior region with specific geometry 6 mm diameter and 6 mm height was used. The suitability of the mid-posterior region was enhanced by the uniform structure confirmed by the histological analysis. Helix lucorum snail fillet had the highest energy content and the highest hardness but the lowest carbohydrate content. The species Cornu aspersum maximum was evaluated with the highest values of a* (redness), b* (yellowness) and C* (chroma) compared to other species. Parameter L* (lightness) of wild snail fillets was lower than of the farmed ones due to age, diet, farming or environmental conditions, but it could also be related to snail carbohydrate content. Novelty and scientific contribution. This study yielded notable results on qualitative characteristics of snail fillets as food and important information is given on its meat properties. Furthermore, a novel methodology of hardness is provided in order to minimize natural, breeding and environmental influences. Finally, the research outcomes could lead to proper handling methods for further fabrication of snail meat.