Article

Effect of temperature on growth, survival and reproduction of Bulinus nyassanus (Smith, 1877) (Mollusca: Gastropoda) from Lake Malawi

Published in: African Zoology
Volume 45 , issue 2 , 2010 , pages: 315–320

DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2010.11657281

Author(s): Godfrey K. Kubirizajournal Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Uganda , Henry Madsen Mandahl Barth Research Centre for Biodiversity and Health, DBL Centre for Health Research and Development, Faculty of Life Sciences, Denmark , Jeremy S. Likongwe Aquaculture and Fisheries Science Department, Bunda College of Agriculture, Malawi , Jay R. Stauffer Jr School of Forest Resources, U.S.A. , Jeremiah Kang????Ombe Aquaculture and Fisheries Science Department, Bunda College of Agriculture, Malawi , Fanuel Kapute Aquaculture and Fisheries Science Department, Bunda College of Agriculture, Malawi

Keywords: Schistosoma haematobium , Bulinus nyassanus , Survival , Reproductive performance , Lake Malawi

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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.

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