Excretion, accumulation and site of synthesis of urea in the snail Pila globosa during active and dormant periods.

The pattern of urea excretion in active and dormant phases of the amphibious Indian apple snail, Pila globosa, as well as the possible site and mechanism of urea synthesis in this animal have been studied. 1. Urea may be synthesized in the hepatopancreas of this snail and excreted through the nephridia with the nephridial fluid during the active period of the animals life. In dormant snails, this metabolic excretory waste accumulates in its various organs and body fluids. 2. The possibility of the presence of an ornithine cycle for the synthesis of urea in the hepatopancreas is indicated in this snail.