Influence of physicochemical parameters on the spatial distribution of snail species that are intermediate hosts of human schistosomes in the Senegal River Delta.

Abstract

The objective of this work was to identify possible correlations between physicochemical parameters (water temperature, water flow velocity, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, salinity, pH, nitrates, and phosphates) and the spatial distribution in the Senegal River delta of snail species that are intermediate hosts of human schistosomes. Eight water points (ME1 to ME4, NE1 and NE2, TA1 and TA2) were selected in the villages of Menguègne Boye, Ndellé Boye, and Thilla for biweekly monitoring of these snails and the physicochemical parameters of the water. The results show that the spatial distribution of the snail populations is related to pH, dissolved oxygen (mg/l), conductivity, temperature (̊C), and water flow velocity (m/s).