African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (7), pp. 676-678, July 2005          
ISSN 1684–5315 © 2005 Academic Journals

Short Communication

Interaction between Biomphalaria pfeifferi, the snail intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni, and indoplanobis exustus, a possible competitor snail

OKERE, P .U.¹* and ODAIBO, A. B.²

¹Department of Biotechnology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.

²Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

*Corresponding Author E-Mail: ugochiokere2002@yahoo.com.

Accepted 13 May, 2005

Biological control of snail intermediate host of human schistosome parasites has been suggested. In this study, the effect of Indoplanobis exustus a planorbid snail and possible competitor snail of Biomphalaria pfeifferi on the fecundity and growth rate of the later was evaluated. The results showed a significant difference in the growth rates and fecundity of I. exustus and B. pfeifferi. Maintaining the snails together, the fecundity and growth rate of B pfeifferi were greatly reduced. There was direct relationship between fecundity and growth rate. I. exustus could therefore be a control agent of B. pfeifferi under similar prevailing condition.

Key words: Indoplanobis exustus, Biomphalaria pfeifferi, Schistosoma mansoni, fecundity, growth rate.