Journal of Helminthology

Table of Contents - 1961 - Volume 35, Supplement S1  

Research Article

The Breeding of Bulinus truncatus in Total Darkness

J. M. Watsona1 and A. S. Al-Alia2

a1 Director, Commonwealth Bureau of Helminthology, St. Albans, Herts. Formerly, Head of the Department of Zoology and Microbiology, College of Science, University of Baghdad, Iraq

a2 Demonstrator, Department of Zoology and Microbiology, College of Science, University of Baghdad, Iraq

Starting with eggs from a natural habitat the authors were able to raise and breed Bulinus truncatus, the snail vector of schistosomiasis haematobia, under conditions of total and continuous darkness and to complete the life-cycle from egg to egg in 70 days. The rearing of a second generation was interrupted by circumstances beyond the authors’ control. Darkness is shown nevertheless to have a restrictive effect on population growth and the use of covered channels and pipes for irrigation water, although not a complete control measure, should therefore be adopted wherever possible in endemic foci of schistosomiasis haematobia where snail control is necessary.