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The population genetic structure of Biomphalaria choanomphala in Lake Victoria, East Africa: implications for schistosomiasis transmission

Standley, Claire J.; Goodacre, Sara L.; Wade, Christopher M.; Stothard, J. Russell

The population genetic structure of Biomphalaria choanomphala in Lake Victoria, East Africa: implications for schistosomiasis transmission Thumbnail


Authors

Claire J. Standley

SARA GOODACRE sara.goodacre@nottingham.ac.uk
Professor of Evolutionary Biology and Genetics

CHRIS WADE CHRIS.WADE@NOTTINGHAM.AC.UK
Assistant Professor

J. Russell Stothard



Abstract

Background: The freshwater snail Biomphalaria acts as the intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni, a globally important human parasite. Understanding the population structure of intermediate host species can elucidate transmission dynamics and assist in developing appropriate control methods.
Methods: We examined levels of population genetic structure and diversity in 29 populations of Biomphalaria choanomphala collected around the shoreline of Lake Victoria in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, where S. mansoni is hyper-endemic. Molecular markers were utilized to estimate the degree to which snail populations are genetically differentiated from one another.
Results: High levels of snail genetic diversity were found coupled with evidence of geographically-determined population structure but low levels of local inbreeding. The data are consistent with an effect of schistosome infection on population structure of intermediate host snails, but other factors, such as habitat and historical demographic changes, could also be important determinants of the degree of population genetic structure in Biomphalaria choanomphala.
Conclusions: The low stratification of populations and high genetic diversity indicates potentially less local compatibility with intermediate snail populations than previously theorized, and highlights the importance of coordinated parasite control strategies across the region.

Citation

Standley, C. J., Goodacre, S. L., Wade, C. M., & Stothard, J. R. (2014). The population genetic structure of Biomphalaria choanomphala in Lake Victoria, East Africa: implications for schistosomiasis transmission. Parasites and Vectors, 7(1), Article 524. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-014-0524-4

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Nov 5, 2014
Online Publication Date Nov 19, 2014
Publication Date 2014-12
Deposit Date Jul 26, 2016
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Parasites & Vectors
Electronic ISSN 1756-3305
Publisher Springer Verlag
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 7
Issue 1
Article Number 524
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-014-0524-4
Keywords Biomphalaria choanomphala ; Schistosoma mansoni ; Population structure ; Population genetics
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/739447
Publisher URL https://parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13071-014-0524-4

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