Snail Resource Collection

Schistosome species distributions are determined by the distribution of their intermediate aquatic snail hosts. The relationship between schistosome species and aquatic snails species is intricate and fascinating. Schistosome species will only infect specific species of aquatic snails and not others.

Three general rules on human schistosome-snail species compatibility are:

• S. haematobium will only infect aquatic snails belonging to the Bulinus genus
• S. mansoni will only infect aquatic snails belonging to the Biomphalaria genus
• S. japonicum will only infect snails belonging to the Oncomelania genus

If you would like to send us any resources you think would be useful or have any questions on snails and schistosomes anouk [dot] gouvras [at] eliminateschisto [dot] org (subject: Snails%20and%20schistosomes%20protocols) (please email us).