Comparative Differences in Radula Characteristics of Schistosoma Snail Intermediate Host in the Forskalii Group
Year: 2021
Type: article
Abstract: Background and Objective: Snails in the forskalii group act as intermediate host of schistosomes and the availability of these snails in freshwater bodies increase the risk of schistosome infection.In tropical and sub-tropical countries, schistosome infection is still common among people living in rural and urban communities.Radular teeth of freshwater snails are often specific to a species or genus and are widely used for species identification.Hence, this study compared the radula structures of Bulinus species in the forskalii group with the aim of providing observable differences within the species.Materials and Methods: The snail species were collected from schistosome endemic rural areas and preserved in ethanol for this study.Shell morphometrics was measured using a Vernier caliper while permanent slides of the radulae were dissected and stained using Mallory.Descriptive statistics, One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and LSD post hoc tests were performed on shell characters.Results: The means shell length (mm) of B. camerunensis, B. senegalensis and B. forskalii were 5.8±0.9,7.4±0.2and 7.1±1.2,respectively.The radula of each species had a ratio of 18:17:1:17:18.The marginal teeth of B. forskalii possessed seven cusps, B. camerunensis possessed six cusps while B. senegalensis possessed twelve cusps.Conclusion: The differences observed in shell characteristics and radulae morphology in the three species could be used to differentiate these species in middle and low-income areas.
Authors: Opeyemi G. Oso, Alexander B. Odaibo
Institution: University of Ibadan
Language: English
Subfield: Insect Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4200211714