Distribution of lymnaeid snails in Malargüe, Mendoza

MERA Y SIERRA RL.; CUERVO P.; MORALES J.; SIDOTI L.

Cordoba

Otro; Primera Reunión Conjunta de Sociedades de Biología de la República Argentina; 2007

Sociedad Argentina de Biología, Sociedad de Biología de Córdoba, Sociedad de Biología de Cuyo

Lymnaeid mollusks are the intermediate hosts of fascioliasis, a zoonotic parasitic disease that causes heavy looses in livestock. Even though ranchers and veterinarians in Malargue department of Mendoza province are familiar with the disease and human cases have been reported, there is very scarce information in relation to the distribution of the intermediate hosts, the lymnaeid snails. Our objective was to describe where these vectors are found in Malargue department, Mendoza. During spring and summer of 2005/2006, water bodies with ecological conditions appropriate for the development of lymnaeid snails where surveyed. In each site, altitude, latitude and longitude where registered by means of the GPS. The snails collected were transported live to the laboratory and identified according to the keys of Castellanos & Landoni. Lymnaeid snails were found in 9 sites at an altitude ranging from 1463 to 1894 meters above sea level. They where found in tributaries of the Malargue River and also in tributaries of the Rio Grande river. This ample distribution indicates its adaptability to the adverse climate in the region and the high risk of transmission to both cattle and humans.