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

Godfrey K. Kubiriza, Henry Madsen, Jeremy S. Likongwe, Jay R. Stauffer, Jeremiah Kang'Ombe, Fanuel Kapute

    8 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    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.

    Original languageEnglish
    JournalAfrican Zoology
    Volume45
    Issue number2
    Pages (from-to)315-320
    Number of pages6
    ISSN1562-7020
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Oct 2010

    Keywords

    • Former LIFE faculty

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