Effect of temperature on growth, survival and reproduction of Bulinus nyassanus (Smith, 1877) (Mollusca: Gastropoda) from Lake Malawi

TY - JOUR

T1 - Effect of temperature on growth, survival and reproduction of Bulinus nyassanus (Smith, 1877) (Mollusca: Gastropoda) from Lake Malawi

AU - Kubiriza, Godfrey K.

AU - Madsen, Henry

AU - Likongwe, Jeremy S.

AU - Stauffer, Jay R.

AU - Kang'Ombe, Jeremiah

AU - Kapute, Fanuel

PY - 2010/10

Y1 - 2010/10

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

KW - Former LIFE faculty

KW - Schistosoma haematobium

KW - Bulinus nyassanus

KW - Survival

KW - reproductive performance

KW - Lake Malawi

U2 - 10.3377/004.045.0210

DO - 10.3377/004.045.0210

M3 - Journal article

SN - 1562-7020

VL - 45

SP - 315

EP - 320

JO - African Zoology

JF - African Zoology

IS - 2

ER -