Protozoan ciliate epibionts on the freshwater apple snail Pomacea figulina (Spix, 1827) (Gastropoda, Ampullariidae) in an urban stream of south-east Brazil

The objective of this study was to record and analyze the prevalence of ciliated protozoa associated with prosobranchian snails of the species Pomacea figulina collected from an urban stream in south-eastern Brazil. Four collections were carried out between December, 2005, and March, 2006, from whic...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of natural history 2008-05, Vol.42 (19-20), p.1409-1420
Main Authors: Pedroso Dias, Roberto Júnio, D'ávila, Sthefane, Wieloch, Alfredo Hannemann, D'Agosto, Marta
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Ciliophora
mollusc
peritrichs
prosobranchian snails
suctorian
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Summary:The objective of this study was to record and analyze the prevalence of ciliated protozoa associated with prosobranchian snails of the species Pomacea figulina collected from an urban stream in south-eastern Brazil. Four collections were carried out between December, 2005, and March, 2006, from which 23 snails and 10 'empty' shells were obtained. The shells and opercula were scraped over Petri dishes and the ciliates were observed using bright field and phase contrast microscopy. Seven species of ciliates were recorded on the snails of P. figulina. Of the 23 snails analyzed, 82.60% (n = 19) were infested with at least one species of ciliate. No ciliates were found on the 'empty' shells and opercula. The results are discussed in terms of ecological aspects involved in this association.
ISSN:0022-2933
1464-5262
DOI:10.1080/00222930802007831