Enzyme electrophoresis and speciation of Schistosoma intermediate hosts

Abstract

1. Enzyme electrophoretic patterns from populations of snails, intermediate hosts of Schistosoma, have been examined.2. Esterase patterns (α-naphthyl butyrate as substrate) have been used to differentiate snail populations of B. africanus and Biomph. pfeifferi.3. Malate, β-hydroxybutyrate and α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenases may be of use in some cases to distinguish between species, e.g. B. africanus v. B. ugandae and Biomph. sudanica v. Biomph. pfeifferi.