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VOL. 6, ISSUE 2 (2021)
Comparative studies on snail intermediate hosts of trematodes in ikwo and nkalagu of Ebonyi state
Authors
Chioma O Anorue, Davidnelson T Onyeka, Ihuoma N Anyanwu
Abstract
Freshwater snails share intimate relationship with parasitic trematodes because they serve as resource for development and vehicle for transmission to its next definite host. A cross sectional study was designed to establish the distribution, abundance and bionomics of freshwater snails; as intermediate host of trematodes in Ikwo and Nkalagu L.G.A of Ebonyi State. A field work was conducted for a period of four (4) months to study the ecology of these vector snails and identification of aquatic macrophytes where they thrive utilizing systematic random sampling at selected water bodies in the study area. Sampling was done using handpicking and scooping net method. A total of eight hundred and forty four (844) were collected in the study area which consist three families of Ampullariidae, Planorbidae, Lymnaeidae and the species identified includes Lanistes varicus, Lymnae natalensis, Biomphalaria pfeifferi and Bulinus globosus. Lanistes varicus recorded the highest species abundant 496(58.1%) followed by Lymnae natalensis 279(33.1%), Bulinus globosus recorded 49(5.8%) and lastly Biomphalaria pfeifferi recorded 20 (2.8%). Natural sunlight and artificial light were used to induce shedding of cerceriae. Identified cercariae includes Echinostome, Xiphidiocercous (Astiotrema spp), Distome (unidentified spp), Furocercous (Pseudobiharziella spp) other identified were immature sporocyts of Schistosoma, unidentified metacercariae, immature egg larvae of nematodes using crushing method. A descriptive test statistics was used to record the prevalence of infection in the snails. Lanistes varicus (42.9%), Lymnae natalensis (19.0%), Bulinus globosus (9.5%) and least was recorded for Biomphalaria pfeifferi (0.1%). In conclusion, snail surveilance is required to achieve efficient control of snail vectors thus enhancing rapid and effective reduction in transmission of snail-borne diseases in the study area.
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Pages:22-31
How to cite this article:
Chioma O Anorue, Davidnelson T Onyeka, Ihuoma N Anyanwu "Comparative studies on snail intermediate hosts of trematodes in ikwo and nkalagu of Ebonyi state ". International Journal of Biology Research, Vol 6, Issue 2, 2021, Pages 22-31
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