Effects of Schistosoma Mansoni Infection on Chemosensitivity and Orientation of Australorbis Glabratus

Abstract

Summary The present work shows that chemical sensitivity and immediate reaction of Australorbis glabratus to the attraction of wheat-germ is progressively diminished, but not entirely lost, during the course of infection with Schistosoma mansoni. However, by measuring mean progression responses of groups of snails, it was also found that the ability of infected snails to orient toward a chemical attractant was not statistically different from that of uninfected snails. The comparative values of preference and progression techniques, and their limitations, are discussed. Studies of chemical attractant techniques under field conditions are required before any attempt is made to apply such methods to mollusc control programs. The present data show that schistosome-infection rates among Australorbis populations should not affect such an effort, if it is made.