La saison sèche en Guadeloupe et ses conséquences sur la démographie des mollusques dans les biotopes A Biomphalaria glabrata (say, 1818), vecteur de la bilharziose intestinale

Resistance of some freshwater snails to drought has been studied in four seasonal ponds, one (temporary) stream and one « mangrove » area on the island of Guadeloupe, West Indies. In such locations a small percentage of the snail population is able to survive the dry season under the shelter of organic debris and rocks. Biomphalaria glabrata, the local intermediate host of human Rilharziasis, is less resistant to dessication than sympatric Eupera viridans, Biomphalaria schrammi, Drepanotrema lucidum and Ampullaria glauca. Physa marmorata, Drepanotrema kermatoides and Pleisiophysa granulata are even more sensitive to drought than Biomphalaria glabrata

Distribución actualizada de limneidos vectores de Fasciola hepatica e índice cercárico en la región Arequipa, Perú

Fasciolosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Fasciola hepatica, which is widely distributed in Peru and considered highly endemic in the Arequipa region. Despite this, records of lymnaeid snails in the area remain limited. This study aimed to identify lymnaeid vectors of F. hepatica and to determine their distribution across natural regions, along with their corresponding cercarial index (CI). Lymnaeid snails were manually collected from irrigation canals, wetlands, and other humid environments, identified by their small size and dextral coiling shell. A subset of 10–25 snails was immersed in water at 70°C for 30–40 seconds to facilitate soft tissue extraction. The soft bodies were then removed from the shells and preserved in 70% ethanol. Taxonomic identification was conducted at the Centre de Recherches insulaires et observatoire de L’environnement (CRIOBE), Université de Perpignan, France, based on morphological characteristics of the shell and soft body parts. Sampling locations were categorized according to natural regions: coast (≤2000 m.a.s.l.) and highlands (>2000 m.a.s.l.). Live lymnaeids were examined by compression under a compound microscope (40X and 100X magnification). The criterion for positivity was the presence of rediae and cercariae of F. hepatica. New distribution areas of lymnaeid snails were identified. On the coast, the species detected included Galba cubensis (primary vector) in the provinces of Caravelí, Camaná, Islay, and Arequipa; Pseudosuccinea columella (potential vector) in Caravelí; and G. schirazensis in Santa Rita de Siguas. In the highlands, G. truncatula was identified as the primary vector in the provinces of Caylloma, La Unión, Castilla, Condesuyos, and Arequipa. Cercarial indices were generally low, averaging 0.63% for the Arequipa region. In localities with positive vectors, the distribution was as follows: on the coast, G. cubensis in Vítor showed a CI of 2.13%; in the highlands, G. truncatula exhibited CI values of 1.20% in Huanca, 1.61% in Achoma, 2.63% in Maca, and 2.78% in Taurisma.La fasciolosis es una zoonosis causada por Fasciola hepatica, de amplia distribución en el Perú y particularmente endémica en Arequipa. En esta región, los reportes de limneidos son escasos. Se realizó el estudio en la región Arequipa, con el objetivo de identificar los limneidos vectores de F. hepatica, su distribución de acuerdo con la región natural y el índice cercárico (IC). Se colectaron limneidos, de forma manual en acequias, bofedales o lugares húmedos, reconocidos por su tamaño pequeño y su conchilla dextrógira. Una parte (10-25 caracoles) fue introducida en agua a 70 °C por 30-40 segundos. Posteriormente, se extrajo el cuerpo blando de la conchilla y esta fue fijada en etanol 70%. La identificación taxonómica basada en caracteres morfológicos de las partes blandas y conchilla fue realizada en el Centre de Recherches insulaires et observatoire de L´environnement (CRIOBE), Université de Perpignan, Francia. Las localidades se clasificaron según región natural: costa (hasta 2.000 m s. n. m.) y sierra (sobre 2.000 m s. n. m.). Los limneidos vivos fueron examinados por aplastamiento en microscopio compuesto. El criterio de positividad fue la observación de redias y cercarias compatibles con F. hepatica. Se detectaron nuevas áreas de distribución de limneidos. Las especies identificadas en la costa fueron Galba cubensis vector primario en las provincias de Caravelí, Camaná, Islay y Arequipa; Pseudosuccinea columella vector potencial en Caravelí y G. schirazensis en Santa Rita de Siguas. En la sierra se identificó a G. truncatula como vector primario en las provincias de Caylloma, La Unión, Castilla, Condesuyos y Arequipa. Los índices cercáricos en general fueron bajos con 0,63% para la región Arequipa y por localidades con vectores positivos distribuidos en la costa (G. cubensis) 2,13% en Vítor; y en la sierra (G. truncatula) en Huanca 1,20%, Achoma 1,61%, Maca 2,63% y Taurisma 2,78%

An outbreak of canine schistosomiasis in Utah: Acquisition of a new snail host (Galba humilis) by Heterobilharzia americana, a pathogenic parasite on the move

Parasites with complex life cycles engaging multiple host species living among different environments well-exemplify the value of a cross-cutting One Health approach to understanding fundamental concerns like disease emergence or spread. Here we provide new information regarding a pathogenic schistosome trematode parasite of both wild and domestic mammals that has recently expanded its known range from mesic/wet environments of the southeastern United States to the arid southwest. In 2018, 12 dogs living near a man-made pond in Moab, Utah, were found positive for Heterobilharzia americana, the most westerly report of this endemic North American schistosome, and the first from Utah. Raccoon scats collected near the pond were positive for H. americana eggs, and snails living near the pond´s water line identified as Galba humilis shed H. americana cercariae, the first indication of natural infections in this widespread North American snail species. The susceptibility of G. humilis to H. americana was confirmed experimentally. Our studies support the existence of two variants of H. americana and emphasize the need for further investigations of lymnaeids and their compatibility with H. americana, to better define the future potential for its spread. Capture of a new species of intermediate host vector snail and construction of man-made habitats suitable for this snail have created the potential for a much more widespread animal health problem, especially for dogs and horses. H. americana will prove difficult to control because of the role of raccoons in maintaining transmission and the amphibious habits of the snail hosts of this pathogenic schistosome.Fil: Loker, Eric S.. University of New Mexico; Estados UnidosFil: Dolginow, Scott Z.. Mill Creek Animal Hospital; Estados UnidosFil: Pape, Suzanne. Mill Creek Animal Hospital; Estados UnidosFil: Topper, Colin D.. No especifíca;Fil: Alda, Maria del Pilar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; ArgentinaFil: Pointier, Jean Pierre. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique; FranciaFil: Ebbs, Erika T.. State University of New York; Estados UnidosFil: Sanchez Herrera, Melissa. University of New Mexico; Estados UnidosFil: Verocai, Guilherme G.. Texas A&M University; Estados UnidosFil: DeJong, Randall J.. Calvin University; Estados UnidosFil: Brant, Sara V.. University of New Mexico; Estados UnidosFil: Laidemitt, Martina R.. University of New Mexico; Estados Unido

Primeiro registro do gastrópode africano invasor Melanoides tuberculatus (Gastropoda: Prosobranchia: Thiaridae) na Bacia do Rio Paranã, GO, Brasil

The Thiarid snail Melanoides tuberculatus (Müller, 1774), native to Asia and East Africa was recorded for the first time in the Paranã River basin, Goiás State. There is no evidence concerning introduction vectors but aquarium releases is the most probable vector. Specimens were collected at three different water bodies after twenty-seven rivers were investigated. The possible spread of this species to other habitats and potential effects on native thermal water communities are discussed.O gastrópode Thiaridae Melanoides tuberculatus (Müller, 1774), nativo da Ásia e do Leste Africano, é registrado pela primeira vez na Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Paranã (Estado de Goiás). Não se conhecem os vetores de introdução da espécie, mas o setor de aquariofilia foi apontado por alguns moradores locais como a mais provável causa. Os espécimes foram coletados em três corpos d´água depois de serem investigados vinte e sete rios e lagoas. A possibilidade de dispersão dessa espécie para outros habitats e os efeitos potenciais dessa introdução sobre a comunidade nativa são discutidos no artigo