Towards an integrated fasciolosis control: pinpointing the role of macroinvertebrates and habitat characteristics as drivers of lymnaeid snail abundance in temporary wetlands

IF 2.2 4区环境科学与生态学 Q3 ECOLOGY

Aquatic Ecology Pub Date : 2026-04-09 DOI:10.1007/s10452-026-10292-4

Yusuph Aron Kafula, Abubakari Said Mgelwa, Wambura Mashauri Mtemi, Mang’era Samwel Mnyoro

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Fasciolosis is a neglected tropical disease causing significant economic losses and public health concerns particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Existing control mechanisms are thwarted by limited access to effective diagnostic tools and treatment options as well as high re-infection rates. Biological control of vectors is widely recognised as a potential strategy for neglected tropical diseases (such as malaria and schistosomiasis) management. However, little is known on potential interactions between lymnaeid snails and temporary wetlands invertebrates or habitat characteristics which can be exploited as natural interventions for fasciolosis control. We investigated habitat characteristics and invertebrate communities in 60 temporary wetlands as potential habitats of lymnaeid snails. We then determined significant variables explaining the abundance of lymnaeid snails in temporary wetlands of the Lake Victoria Basin (LVB). Counter-intuitively, of the studied habitat characteristics only openwater proportion and phycocyanin levels had significant effect on lymnaeid snail abundance. Additionally, abundance of fairy shrimps (Streptocephalus spp.), larvae of damselflies (Pseudagrion sp.) and water-veneer moths (Donacaula sp.) significantly affected lymnaeid snail abundance. Increase in phycocyanin (cyanobacteria) levels fostered proliferation of lymnaeid snails. Interaction between damselflies and moth larvae on juvenile lymnaeid snails suggests possible use of the species as biological control. Existing interspecific competition between fairy shrimps and lymnaeid snails can also be exploited. Moreover, limiting algal blooms formation may suppress proliferation of lymnaeid snails. We therefore contend that, an understanding of disease vectors biotic interactions in their habitat is cornerstone in developing complementary strategies for fasciolosis control.

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迈向筋膜虫病的综合控制：确定大型无脊椎动物和栖息地特征在临时湿地中作为淋巴蜗牛丰度驱动因素的作用

片形吸虫病是一种被忽视的热带病，造成重大经济损失和公共卫生问题，特别是在撒哈拉以南非洲。现有的控制机制受到有效诊断工具和治疗选择有限以及再感染率高的阻碍。媒介生物控制被广泛认为是被忽视的热带病（如疟疾和血吸虫病）管理的一种潜在战略。然而，人们对绵螺与临时湿地无脊椎动物或栖息地特征之间的潜在相互作用知之甚少，这些相互作用可作为控制片形虫病的自然干预措施。研究了60个临时湿地的生境特征和无脊椎动物群落。然后，我们确定了解释维多利亚湖盆地（LVB）临时湿地中蜗牛丰度的重要变量。与直觉相反，在研究的生境特征中，只有开阔水域比例和藻蓝蛋白水平对线虫螺的丰度有显著影响。此外，神仙虾（Streptocephalus spp.）、豆豆蝇（Pseudagrion sp.）和水皮蛾（Donacaula sp.）的幼虫丰度显著影响了淋巴蜗牛的丰度。藻蓝蛋白（蓝藻菌）水平的增加促进了淋巴蜗牛的增殖。豆娘和飞蛾幼虫对淋巴螺幼螺的相互作用提示可能使用该物种作为生物防治。神仙虾和蜗牛之间存在的种间竞争也可以被利用。此外，限制藻华的形成可能会抑制淋巴蜗牛的增殖。因此，我们认为，了解疾病媒介在其栖息地的生物相互作用是制定片形吸虫病控制补充策略的基石。

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来源期刊

Aquatic Ecology 环境科学-海洋与淡水生物学

CiteScore

3.90

自引率

0.00%

发文量

审稿时长

3 months

期刊介绍： Aquatic Ecology publishes timely, peer-reviewed original papers relating to the ecology of fresh, brackish, estuarine and marine environments. Papers on fundamental and applied novel research in both the field and the laboratory, including descriptive or experimental studies, will be included in the journal. Preference will be given to studies that address timely and current topics and are integrative and critical in approach. We discourage papers that describe presence and abundance of aquatic biota in local habitats as well as papers that are pure systematic. The journal provides a forum for the aquatic ecologist - limnologist and oceanologist alike- to discuss ecological issues related to processes and structures at different integration levels from individuals to populations, to communities and entire ecosystems.