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The characteristics of habitats colonized by three species ofLymnaea (Mollusca) in swampy meadows on acid soil : their interest for control of fasciolosis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2009

C. Vareille-Morel
Affiliation:
Faculté des Sciences, Laboratoire de Malacologie Appliquée, 123 avenue Albert Thomas, F-87060 Limoges Cedex
G. Dreyfuss
Affiliation:
Faculté de Pharmacie, Laboratoire de Parasitologie, 2 rue du Docteur Raymond Marcland, F-87025 Limoges Cedex
D. Rondelaud
Affiliation:
Faculté de Médecine, Laboratoire d'Histopathologie Parasitaire, 2 rue du Docteur Raymond Marcland, F-87025 Limoges Cedex
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Abstract

Malacological investigations were carried out in 53 meadows on acid soil to identify the characteristics of habitats colonized by lymnaeid snails. These meadows are located in three different geographical districts (Basse-Marche, Monts d'Ambazac, Plateaux de la Vienne) in the Haute-Vienne Department (central France). Lymnaea truncatula lived at the distal extremity of open drainage furrows ; L. glabra inhabited the middle part of furrows and L. palustris lived in the central ditch. The mean area of L. truncatula habitats ranged from 2.8 to 4.8 m2 in relation to the district studied and was smaller than those of L. glabra (a mean of 3.6 to 7.2 m2 ) and L. palustris (10.3 to 19.3 m2). Mean intervals between the sites occupied by L. truncatula and L. glabra ranged from 6.3 to 12.3 m ; they were greater between the sites occupied by L. glabra and L. palustris (11.6 to 15.4 m). Finally, the mean densities of L. truncatula in June ranged from 11.4 to 19.8/m2 in relation to the district studied ; those of L. glabra ranged from 22.6 to 27.0 snails/m2, whereas in L. palustris, they ranged from 6.3 to 8.8 snails/m2. The mean values of these first two parameters were significantly lower in the habitats located in Monts d'Ambazac than those recorded in the two other districts. Implications of these results for fasciolosis control are discussed.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© Université Paul Sabatier, 1999

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