The knowledge about the population dynamics of freshwater snail intermediate host and their roles in disease transmission is little known in Bayelsa State. This study investigated the species composition of fresh water snail intermediate host in Amassoma community and the Niger Delta University Campuses during August 2019-October 2019 across five locations (Main campus Hostel, E.T.F Building, Ogboebi-Ama, Efeke-Ama, Ogbopina). Snails were collected from the water bodies with the aid of a scooping net and hand picking. The morphological identification of the snail intermediate host followed standard procedures. From the result, five hundred and seventy-one freshwater snails belonging to four genera and five species were recorded. The presence of Lymnae and Bulinus in the locations highlights foci for fascioliasis and schistosomiasis. The presence of Melanoides spp. is novel in Bayelsa State. The public health implications of these snails have called for timely control intervention.
References
[1]
Akande, I.S. and Odetola, A.A. (2011) Comparative Studies of Two Fresh Water Snail Distributions and Physico-Chemical Parameters in Selected Human Schistosomiasis. Nigerian Journal of Parasitology, 32, 169-174.
[2]
Yves, B.K., Edia, E.O., Felix, K.K., Cyrille, K.N., Dramane, D. and Allassana, O. (2013) Spatial Distribution Africa Pattern of Freshwater Mollusks in Me, Agenby and Banco Basin (Ivory Coast; West). Bulletin of Environment, Pharmacology and Life Sciences, 2, 146-151.
[3]
Keiser, J. and Utzinger, J. (2005) Emerging Foodborne Trematodiasis. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 11, 1507-1514. https://dx.doi.org/10.3201/eid1110.050614
[4]
Emil, M.H. and Sofía, J. (2012) Snails Blology, Ecology and Conservation: Animal Science, Issues and Professions. Nova Science Publishers, New York, 1-105.
[5]
Idogho, P.O., Yahaya, O. and Dagona, A.G. (2013) Modelling Water-Sanitation Relationship in Edo State, Nigeria. Advancement in Scientific and Engineering Research, 2, 44-51.
[6]
Simoonga, C., Utzinger, J. and Brooker, S. (2009) Remote Sensing, Geographical Information System and Spatial Analysis for Schistosomiasis Epidemiology and Ecology in Africa. Parasitology, 136, 1683-1693. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031182009006222
[7]
Mafiana, C.F., Ekpo, U.F. and Ojo, D.A. (2003) Urinary Schistosomiasis in Preschool Children in Settlements around Oyan Reservoir in Ogun State, Nigeria: Implications for Control. Tropical Medicine and International Health, 8, 78-82. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-3156.2003.00988.x
[8]
Ngele, K.K., Kalu, E.O., Ukwe, M.C. and Onyeuwu, C.N. (2012) A Survey of Freshwater Snails: The Intermediate Hosts of Schistosomiasis in Bende L.G.A., Abia State Nigeria. International Journal of Science and Nature, 3, 879-882.
[9]
Salawu, O.T. and Odaibo, A.B. (2014) The Bionomics and Diversity of Freshwater Snails Species in Yewa North, Ogun State, Southwestern Nigeria. Helminthologia, 51, 337-344.
[10]
Owojori, O.J., Asaolu, S.O. and Ofoezie, I.E. (2006) Ecology of Fresh Water Snails in Opa Reservoir and Research Farm Ponds at Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Journal of Applied Sciences, 6, 3004-3015. https://dx.doi.org/10.3923/jas.2006.3004.3015
[11]
Amawulu, E., Eze, C.N. and Obi, B.B. (2018) Spatial Distribution of Fresh Water Snail Intermediate Host in Yenagoa Metropolis, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Journal of Parasitology and Vector Biology, 10, 73-78. https://doi.org/10.5897/JPVB2018.0320
[12]
Abubakar, I.U, Tukur, A. and Ahmed, A. (2019) Studies on Distribution and Abundance of Freshwater Snail Intermediate Hosts of Schistosomiasis along Kwanar Areh Dam in Rimi L.G.A. of Katsina State. Journal of Parasitology and Vector Biology, 11, 26-35. https://doi.org/10.5897/JPVB2018.0345
[13]
Ebenezer, A., Thomas, C. and Amain, A. (2020) Effect of Physico Chemical Parameters on Mosquito Larva Population in the Niger Delta University Campuses, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. International Journal of Zoological Research, 16, 63-68. https://dx.doi.org/10.3923/ijzr.2020.63.68
[14]
Harman, W.N. and Berg, C.O. (1971) The Freshwater Gastropod of Central New York with Illustrated Keys to the Genera and Species. Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station, Ithaca.
[15]
Mandahl-Barth, G. (1962) Key to the Identification of East and Central African Freshwater Snails of Medical and Veterinary Importance. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 27, 135-150.
[16]
Gabriel, O.D., Frank, B.G., Douglas, N.A., Ally-Said, M., Paul, O.A., Samson, O.A., Collins, O., Canisius, K.K., Phillip, O.O. and Ayub, V.O.O. (2014) Distribution and Abundance of Schistosomiasis and Fascioliasis Host Snails along the Mara River in Kenya and Tanzania. Ecology and Epidemiology, 4, Article No. 24281. https://doi.org/10.3402/iee.v4.24281
[17]
Jones, H.R.R. (1993) Water Velocity as a Control of Aquatic Snails in Concrete Canal Systems for Irrigation (PhD Dissertation). Loughborough University of Technology, Loughborough.
[18]
Rader, R.B., Belk, M.C. and Jane Keleher, M. (2003) The Introduction of an Invasive Snail (Melanoides tuberculata) to Spring Ecosystems of the Bonneville Basin, Utah. Journal of Freshwater Ecology, 18, 647-657. https://doi.org/10.1080/02705060.2003.9664007
[19]
Alexandre, G., Cesar, L.P., da Silva, A.C., Geórgia, B.E. and Leal, D.F.B. (2005) Habitat Preference of Freshwater Snails in Relation to Environmental Factors and the Presence of the Competitor Snail Melanoides tuberculatus (Müller, 1774). Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, 100, 169-176. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0074-02762005000200010
[20]
Wingard, G.L., Murray, J.B., Schill, W.B. and Phillips, E.C. (2008) Red-Rimmed Melania (Melanoides tuberculatus)—A Snail in Biscayne National Park, Florida—Harmful Invader or Just a Nuisance? U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2008-3006, 6 p. https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2008/3006/
