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

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

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 (US)
Pages (from-to)315-320
Number of pages6
JournalAfrican Zoology
Volume45
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2010

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Animal Science and Zoology

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