REVIEW OF HELISOMA-DURYI IN BIOLOGICAL-CONTROL

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • review article
    • Vol. 36  (1) , 67-84
Abstract
Biological control of schistosomiasis by introduction of the North American planorbid snail, H. duryi, as a competitor of the intermediate host snails has been proposed. The systematics of the genus Helisoma and the geographic distribution of the different species are described. Literature on laboratory experiments or field observations on the competition between H. duryi and different intermediate host snails have been reviewed. The status of H. duryi as intermediate host of trematodes has been evaluated by searching the literature for all the trematode species recorded from the genus Helisoma. The list does not include trematodes of medical or veterinary importance and despite many attempts it has not been possible to infect H. duryi with Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium. A few comments on the experiments that should be performed in the laboratory, under semi-field conditions and field conditions, before H. duryi should be actively dispersed in Africa are presented. The aspects to be considered include the nature of the competitive interactions, the relation between H. duryi and different medical and veterinary important trematodes, and the effect of H. duryi on the biotope.