Distribution and habitat preferences of the genus Biomphalaria (Gastropoda: Planorbidae) in Cuba

Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz

Antonio Alejandro Vázquez Perera²  Jorge Sánchez Noda¹  Yosvania Hevia Jiménez² 

[1] ,Institute Pedro Kourí Laboratory of Malacology Havana,Cuba

关键词: Biomphalaria;    snail;    intermediary host;    schistosomiasis;    ecology;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S0074-02762010000100005

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

A study was carried out to determine the distribution and habitat preferences of several species of the genus Biomphalaria. Samples were taken at 350 freshwater locations in Cuba. Three species of Biomphalaria (Biomphalaria havanensis, Biomphalaria helophila and Biomphalaria pallida) were recorded based on their distribution. Of the three species, B. havanensis has the weakest distribution because it was identified in only one locality. The other species, B. helophila and B. pallida, are abundant in rivers and dams and have large populations in Cuba. However, the only species that appears to occur in ecosystems shared with thiarids is B. pallida, possibly due to recent introduction of thiarids, but always in fewer numbers. Here we discuss the possibility of these species to act as intermediary hosts of Schistosoma mansoni in Cuba over the basis of occurrence in natural and anthropic habitats.

【 授权许可】

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