Occurrence of digenean larvae in freshwater snails in the Ruvu basin, Tanzania

Authors

G. Nkwengulila, Department of Zoology and Wildlife Conservation, University of Dar es Salaam, P. O. Box 35064, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.Follow
E. S. P. Kigadye, Department of Zoology, The Open University of Tanzania, P.O. Box 23409, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.Follow

Section

Biological Sciences

Abstract

A survey was carried out on digenean larvae infecting freshwater snails in five habitats in Dar es Salaam, Ruvu and Morogoro. 9424 snails belonging to 12 species from five families were examined for digenean infection from July 1996 – June 1997. 20 morphologically distinguishable cercariae were recovered. Multiple infections were not recorded. While the general prevalence of digeneans in snails was low (3.5%), variations occurred between seasons, among habitats and snail host species. Prevalence was high during the dry season but low in the rain season. Among habitats, highest prevalence was recorded at Kinondoni pond and lowest at Ruvu ponds, and was highest in Lymnaea natalensis followed by Bulinus tropicus but was lowest in Bulinus nasutus.

Recommended Citation

Nkwengulila, G. and Kigadye, E. S. P. (2008) "Occurrence of digenean larvae in freshwater snails in the Ruvu basin, Tanzania," Tanzania Journal of Science: Vol. 34: Iss. 1, Article 9.
Available at:https://doi.org/10.65085/2507-7961.1924