Effect of Temperature on Growth, Survival and Reproduction of Bulinus nyassanus (Smith, 1877) (Mollusca: Gastropoda) from Lake Malawi

Bulinus nyassanus, endemic to Lake Malawi, is an intermediate host for Schistosoma haematobium and plays an important role in transmission of this parasite along some shorelines on the Nankumba Peninsula in the southern part of the lake. Density of B. nyassanus in shallow water is usually low from J...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:African zoology 2010-10, Vol.45 (2), p.315-320
Main Authors: Kubiriza, Godfrey K, Madsen, Henry, Likongwe, Jeremy S, Stauffer, Jay R, Kang'Ombe, Jeremiah, Kapute, Fanuel
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bulinus nyassanus
Gastropoda
Lake Malawi
Makerere University
Mollusca
Penn State University
Reproductive performance
Schistosoma haematobium
Survival
University of Copenhagen
University of Malawi
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Summary:Bulinus nyassanus, endemic to Lake Malawi, is an intermediate host for Schistosoma haematobium and plays an important role in transmission of this parasite along some shorelines on the Nankumba Peninsula in the southern part of the lake. Density of B. nyassanus in shallow water is usually low from January to April and a major population increase takes place during May to August when water temperatures are relatively low (about 22°C) and supposedly suboptimal for B. nyassanus. This study was designed to compare performance (growth, reproduction, survival, and hatchability of egg-masses) of B. nyassanus at four constant temperatures (22, 25, 28 and 31°C). Survival and reproduction were optimal at 25°C while growth and egg development were faster at the higher temperatures. Findings are discussed in view of the population dynamics of B. nyassanus at Cape Maclear.
ISSN:1562-7020
2224-073X
DOI:10.3377/004.045.0210