The intermediate snail-host: an agenda for future study

The strategy for the control of schistosomiasis has shifted from one directed towards the interruption of transmission to one of reducing morbidity. As a consequence of this change, it appears prudent to reassess the role of the malacologist and malacology and identify the future direction to be taken by the discipline. The present paper addresses these concerns; first, by reviewing the role of the snail-hosts in the epidemiology and control of schistosomiasis, and, secondly, by suggesting areas for future study. The possible application of newer methods in biotechnology for the resolution of malacological problems are discussed.

Differentiation of the sibling species Biomphalaria occidentalis and Biomphalaria tenagophila by the electrophoretic patterns of their hemoglobin

É descrito um método simples e rápido para distinguir as espécies crípticas Biomphalaria tenagophila e B. occidentalis por eletroforese em gel de agarose. A prova é feita com hemolinfa do molusco, permitindo a cor vermelha da fraçäo hemoglobina visualizar os padröes de migraçäo sem necessidade de recorrer a coloraçöes específicas. Além disso, as amostras de hemolinfa podem ser obtidas sem sacrificar o molusco, que poderá ser usado para outros estudos ou para criaçäo