Authors

K Sowunmi¹;  ¹ Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Nigeria

Discussion

Freshwater snails are an important target for the integrated approach to control of snail-borne human and animal trematode infections such as schistosomiasis and fascioliasis. This preliminary survey was conducted to determine the species variety and abundance of freshwater snails present in six streams/rivers of Ugbawka, Nkanu East LGA. A total of 128 snails were collected randomly from the six locations using a scoop net or hand-picked from vegetation and were identified morphologically. Five species of snails identified and their overall percentage frequencies were Bulinus truncatus (12.5%), Bulinus forskalii (10.2%), Lymnaea (Radix) natalensis (8.6%), Lanistes libycus (59.4%) and Melanoides tuberculata (9.4%). The highest number of snails was collected from the Ojolowo River (38.3%) and least species abundance was recorded in Umukwasiri Stream where only one species, Lanistes libycus was found. Snails screening revealed no cercariae in the snails collected. The importance of regular surveillance and monitoring of freshwater snail populations in rivers and streams used by residents of the community for farming, recreation and domestic purposes is discussed.