Population Dynamics of Freshwater Snails in Three Towns in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Authors

  • O. F. Olorunniyi Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Science, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.
  • L. K. Olofintoye Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Science, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4314/njpar.v45i1.15

Keywords:

Schistosomiasis, Ekiti, Bulinus, Potadoma, Melanoides, Lanistes, snail, freshwater

Abstract

Many rivers and streams in Nigeria are habitats of freshwater snails. Many of these snails are edible, whereas others are
intermediate hosts of various flatworms. Nine rivers and streams from three towns in Ekiti State, Nigeria, were examined for
the presence of freshwater snails. Each freshwater habitat was sampled for snails at the designated sites for 15 min on a
monthly basis using a 0.2 mm mesh scoop. The collected snails were transported to the laboratory in pre-labelled plastic
containers. Two thousand three hundred and thirty-one (2331) freshwater snails were collected from all habitats. Lanistes
libycus had the highest population, 1044 (44.8%). The other species were Melanoides tuberculata 550 (23.6%), Bulinus
globosus 401 (17.2%), and Potadoma moerchi 336 (14.4%). Freshwater snails were more abundant at the beginning of the
rainy season (March-May) than during heavy rainfall (July–October). The environmental conditions of the study area
supported the occurrence of these snail species. Although some species of these snails are edible, others can serve as
intermediate hosts for parasitic flatworms, which requires urgent attention.

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Published

2024-04-02

How to Cite

Olorunniyi, O. F., & Olofintoye, L. K. (2024). Population Dynamics of Freshwater Snails in Three Towns in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Parasitology, 45(1), 135–145. https://doi.org/10.4314/njpar.v45i1.15

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