Displacement of Biomfhalaria glabrata by thiara granifera under natural conditions in the Dominican Republic

• Main Authors: Jose Gomez Perez, Mercedes Vargas, Emile A. Malek
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Ministério da Saúde 1991-09-01
• Series: Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz.
• Subjects: Biomphalaria glabrata; Thiara granifera; displacement; biological control; schistosomiasis mansoni; Dominican Republic
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0074-02761991000300008

After a study of the population dynamics of Biomphalaria glabrata snails in several breeding places in the Dominican Republic, the snail Thiara granifera was introduced in some B. glabrata habitats. T. granifera became established in one point in one habitat in the townof Quisqueya, in the east of the country. Around this point of establishment 6 points were selected in order to observe the population dynamics of both species of snails and the chemical and biological characteristics at each point. Four of these points already harbored B. glabrata. One control point was selected also harboring B. glabrata. After 14 months of observations, the results showed that T. granifera was competing with and displacing B. glabrata. This competition does not seem to be competition for food or vital space. Rather, B. glabrata avoids the presence of T. granifera and moves away to new areas, and this is possibly due to a chemical substance(s) secreted by T. granifera or by physical contact with the large number of individuals of T. granifera.