Studies on the Biological Control of Schistosome-Bearing Snails

Abstract

Summary Marisa cornuarietis, a large operculate snail, is capable of limiting the growth of Australorbis glabratus populations under certain laboratory conditions. The mechanisms of this control action is a complex of several characteristics of M. cornuarietis. This snail is a voracious herbivore, which, in the course of feeding on vegetation, ingests the A. glabratus egg-masses laid there, Marisa is also capable of destroying small newly-hatched Australorbis, probably by ingesting them. Other aspects of the biological control of A. glabratus populations by M. cornuarietis are discussed in relation to the experimental results and their possible field implications.