scholarly journals Are Freshwater Snails, Melanoides sp. and Invasive Tarebia granifera (Gastropoda: Thiaridae) Suitable Intermediate Hosts for Calicophoron microbothrium (Trematoda: Paramphistomoidea)? An Experimental Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mokgadi P. Malatji ◽  
Nkululeko Myende ◽  
Samson Mukaratirwa
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Soft Tissues ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
Snail Species ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Mpumalanga Province ◽  
Filial Generation ◽  
Tarebia Granifera

Prosobranch snails and adult Paramphistomoidea flukes were collected from water bodies and cattle abattoir located in Mpumalanga province of South Africa, respectively. The snails were identified based on morphological characters as well as the ITS-2 and 16S markers as Melanoides sp. and Tarebia granifera, respectively, and the Paramphistomoidea flukes were identified as Calicophoron microbothrium using the ITS-1/5.8S/ITS-2 marker. After confirming identification, the snails were bred to first filial generation (F1) under laboratory conditions. Ninety snails were randomly selected from the laboratory-bred F1 snails and 25 Melanoides sp. and 20 T. granifera were exposed to C. microbothrium miracidia, and the same numbers were maintained as non-exposed controls. Results showed that C. microbothrium successfully established in Melanoides sp. and produced cercariae, and the prepatent period recorded was 21 days. Three snails shed cercariae at day 21 postexposure (PE), and rediae and free cercariae were detected in the soft tissues of one snail on dissection at day 44 PE. The same fluke did not establish in T. granifera. Melanoides sp. started producing offspring at day 7 PE, and T. granifera at day 14 PE. In conclusion, our results showed that Melanoides sp. used in this study is a suitable intermediate host for C. microbothrium under experimental conditions, and given the wide distribution of this snail species, it is important to determine its role in the natural transmission of other Calicophoron species that have been reported in South Africa.

scholarly journals Susceptibility of 7 freshwater gastropod species in Zimbabwe to infection with Gastrodiscus aegyptiacus (Cobbold, 1876) Looss, 1896 : short communication

2004 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Mukaratirwa ◽  
I.F. Munjere ◽  
M. Takawira ◽  
G. Chingwena
Keyword(s):  
Intermediate Host ◽  
Post Infection ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Freshwater Snail ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
Snail Species ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Biomphalaria Pfeifferi ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Bulinus Globosus

Gastrodiscosis outbreaks due to Gastrodiscus aegyptiacus were recorded in horses in the vicinity of Harare, Zimbabwe, in the absence of Bulinus forskalii, B. senegalensis and Cleopatra sp. which are considered to be the only intermediate host snails. This suggested the possibility of other snail species acting as intermediate hosts in the life cycle of the trematode. A study was carried out to determine the susceptibility of 7 freshwater snail species to infection with G. aegyptiacus. First generation (F-1) of 5 freshwater pulmonate snail species, Bulinus tropicus, Bulinus globosus, Biomphalaria pfeifferi, Helisoma dyuri and Physa acuta that were bred in the laboratory, and 2 prosobranch snail species, Melanoides tuberculata and Cleopatra sp. that were collected from the field were used in this study. Data pertaining to mortalities and cercariae shedding were recorded throughout the experimental period. The prosobranch snails, M. tuberculata and Cleopatra sp. were susceptible to G. aegyptiacus with a minimum prepatent period of 45 days and 54 days, respectively. Bulinus tropicus, P. acuta and H. duryi were susceptible as evidenced by the presence of different generations of rediae and mature cercariae on dissection at 59 days post-infection although attempts to induce the snails to shed from 28 days post-infection did not produce cercariae. Bulinus globosus and Bio. Pfeifferi were refractory to infection. The results revealed the ability of G. aegyptiacus to infect M. tuberculata, Cleopatara sp., B. tropicus, P. acuta and H. duryi under experimental conditions and this may explain the recorded outbreaks of gastrodiscosis in equine populations in Zimbabwe in the absence of the known intermediate hosts. Bulinus tropicus is considered as the most likely major intermediate host of G. aegyptiacus because of its wide distribution in Zimbabwe and is well adapted to a wide variety of environments.

Reinstatement of Aloe labiaflava (Asphodelaceae subfam. Alooideae), a distinctive species of maculate aloe endemic to the western Mpumalanga province of South Africa

Phytotaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 512 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
GIDEON F. SMITH ◽  
RONELL R. KLOPPER
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Small Area ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Mpumalanga Province ◽  
Flowering Season

The little-known Aloe labiaflava (Asphodelaceae subfam. Alooideae), which has for long been regarded as a hybrid between A. davyana and A. longibracteata, is reinstated as an accepted species endemic to a small area in the western Mpumalanga province of South Africa. It differs from both A. davyana and A. longibracteata in several reproductive morphological characters not present in these two species, especially by almost invariably producing only a single inflorescence per flowering season and by having a perianth that is distinctly flared at the mouth, with especially the external, apical ⅓ of the perianth conspicuously yellow.

scholarly journals Distribution and habitats of Bulinus tropicus, snail intermediate host of the conical fluke Calicophoron microbothrium, in South Africa

2002 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 114-120
Author(s):  
K. N. De Kock ◽  
C. T. Wolmarans ◽  
M. Bornman ◽  
D. C. Maree
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Intermediate Host ◽  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Freshwater Snail ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Snail Species ◽  
Rural Settlements ◽  
Economic Implications ◽  
Snail Intermediate Host

This paper focuses on the geographical distribution and the habitats of Bulinus tropicus, the snail intermediate host of the conical fluke, Calicophoron microbothrium. Bulinus tropicus is the freshwater snail species with the most extensive geographical distribution, as reflected by the collection sites of the 7 992 samples currently on record in the database of the National Freshwater Snail Collection (NFSC) of South Africa. The presence of this species was noted by collectors in a total of 14 different types of waterbodies, however, the largest number of samples was collected in dams and brooks and in habitats of which the water was described as standing, clear and fresh. The effect size was calculated for each variable separately to determine its importance in governing the distribution of this species. The data in the database were further processed and adapted to construct an integrated decision tree. This is a statistical model allowing the selection of those variables which can maximally discriminate between the frequency of occurrence of a given species and all other species in the database under specific conditions. The success of B. tropicus, as reflected by its extensive geographical distribution, can most probably be ascribed to the circumstance that population dynamic studies by various authors have shown, without any doubt, that it is highly r-selected and that it additionally has the ability to survive conditions of drought for elatively long periods. It does however, appear as if its limited tolerance to water with a relatively low conductivity could possibly be a limiting factor for its colonisation of specific areas in South Africa. As intermediate host of C. microbothrium which causes paramphistomosis in domestic stock and sometimes can lead to great losses, the wide distribution of B. tropicus has economic implications, especially for residents of informal, rural settlements whose livestock traditionally forms an integral part of their daily existence.

scholarly journals Are Melanoides tuberculata and Tarebia granifera (Gastropoda, Thiaridae), suitable first intermediate hosts of Clonorchis sinensis in Vietnam?

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. e0009093
Author(s):  
Hung Manh Nguyen ◽  
Hien Hoang Van ◽  
Loan Thi Ho ◽  
Yulia V. Tatonova ◽  
Henry Madsen
Keyword(s):  
Multiplex Pcr ◽  
Infection Rate ◽  
Endemic Area ◽  
Liver Fluke ◽  
Clonorchis Sinensis ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Snail Species ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Melanoides Tuberculata ◽  
Tarebia Granifera

Background Two thiarid snail species, Melanoides tuberculata and Tarebia granifera have been reported as first intermediate hosts of the liver fluke Clonorchis sinensis; however, their role as true first intermediate hosts has not been verified. Thus, the present study aimed to clarify the suitability of these two snail species as first intermediate hosts of C. sinensis. This was accomplished by collecting snails from a highly endemic area for C. sinensis in Vietnam, the Thac Ba reservoir, and identifying shed cercariae using molecular techniques. We also conducted experimental infections of five snail species including M. tuberculata and T. granifera with eggs of C. sinensis. Methodology/Principal findings A total of 11,985 snails, representing 10 species were sampled. Five snail species, M. tuberculata, T. granifera, Lymnaea swinhoei, Parafossarulus manchouricus, and Bithynia fuchsiana were found shedding cercariae with an overall prevalence of infection ranging from 0.7% to 11.5%. Seven cercarial types were recorded. Cercariae of C. sinensis were only found in Parafossarulus manchouricus. Using a multiplex PCR approach for detecting C. sinensis infection, the prevalence in P. manchouricus was 4.2%. Additionally, all five snail species were experimentally exposed to C. sinensis eggs, however only P. manchouricus was successfully infected with an infection rate of 7.87%. Conclusions/Significance We confirmed that in the Thac Ba reservoir, Vietnam, the two thiarids, M. tuberculata and T. granifera are not suitable first intermediate hosts of C. sinensis. Only P. manchouricus was found infected by C. sinensis in nature, and was the only species that became infected experimentally.

Molecular detection of natural infection ofLymnaea(Pseudosuccinea)columella(Gastropoda: Lymnaeidae) withFasciola gigantica(Digenea: Fasciolidae) from two provinces of South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 94 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.P. Malatji ◽  
S. Mukaratirwa
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Intermediate Host ◽  
Molecular Detection ◽  
Natural Infection ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Snail Species ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Sub Saharan

AbstractThe main intermediate host ofFasciola giganticain sub-Saharan Africa isLymnaea(Radix)natalensis.Lymnaea(Pseudosuccinea)columellais capable of transmitting bothF. giganticaandF. hepaticaand has been reported to be present in South Africa. To date, no natural infection withF. giganticahas been reported despite the wide distribution of the snail. The aim of this study was to confirm whetherL.(P.)columellawas transmittingF. giganticaand/orF. hepaticain selected locations of KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa.Lymnaea(Pseudosuccinea)columellasnails were collected from two locations in two provinces of South Africa and screened for cercariae shedding. This was followed by humanely sacrificing the screened snails, and whole tissue of each individual snail was homogenized and amplified using primers designed to amplify the ITS-1 region ofFasciolaspp. No cercariae were shed from the screened snails and molecular analysis showed that snails from the two locations were infected withF. gigantica. This study confirms natural infection ofL.(P.)columellawithF. giganticain South Africa, whereF. giganticaandF. hepaticahave already been reported to coexist. AlthoughL.(P.)columellais able to transmit the two species, surprisingly no infection withF. hepaticawas detected from the screened snails. The natural intermediate host ofF. giganticain southern Africa, including South Africa, isLymnaea(Radix)natalensisand comparative studies are needed to determine the competence of the two snail species in the transmission ofF. gigantica.

scholarly journals Invasive alien freshwater snail species in the Kruger National Park, South Africa

Koedoe ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenné N. De Kock ◽  
Cornelius T. Wolmarans
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
National Park ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Freshwater Snail ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
Snail Species ◽  
Physa Acuta ◽  
Tarebia Granifera

An account is given of all invasive alien freshwater snail species samples found in the Kruger National Park currently on record in the National Freshwater Snail Collection(NFSC) database. This report mainly focuses on samples collected during surveys of selected water bodies in the Kruger National Park (KNP) during 1964, 1995, 2001 and 2006. The progress made by four alien invasive freshwater snail species, Lymnaea columella, Physa acuta, Aplexa marmorata and Tarebia granifera, in colonising water bodies since first being recorded in the KNP is addressed. The results clearly show that all four species are in the process of becoming more widespread than they were when first recorded. However, T. granifera is the only one of these species of which exceptionally dense populations were encountered in several water bodies. All indications are that this species could already have had a negative impact on the species diversity of molluscs in these water bodies, and it is recommended that the situation be closely monitored.

The Role of Archives on the Incorporation of the Former Kangwane Homeland to Mpumalanga Province

2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nkholedzeni Sidney Netshakhuma
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Management Policy ◽  
Records Management ◽  
Record Keeping ◽  
Mpumalanga Province ◽  
Specific Objective ◽  
National Archives ◽  
And Control

This study was conceptualised in order to assess the strategies used to incorporate the homeland of KaNgwane into Mpumalanga province after the cessation of apartheid in 1994. The specific objective of the study was to investigate the compliance of records and archives with the National Archives and Records Service of South Africa Act (Act No 43 of 1996), during the incorporation of the homeland of KaNgwane into Mpumalanga. The study adopted a qualitative methodology through document analysis, interviews and observations. The key findings revealed that the archives of the former homeland of Kangwane were not aligned with the requirements of the National Archives and Records Service of South Africa Act (Act No.43 of 1996.) Institutions seem to lack experience when it comes to the challenges of storing records and implementing arrangement and control systems. The frequent lack of a records management policy and few to no staff with record-keeping and archival backgrounds was also a concern. A shortage of space to store records safely was also one of the major issues that the study uncovered. There appears to be no concerted effort to retain important historical records. Many records are stored in several different locations in government buildings.  I conclude that archives play an essential role to the nation as the institutional memory.

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