title: Genetic variability of the main intermediate host of the Schistosoma mansoni in Brazil, Biomphalaria glabrata (Gastropoda: Planorbidae) assessed by SSR-PCR.
abstract: The genetic variability of Brazilian Biomphalaria glabrata populations was studied using SSR-PCR. This technique is a variant of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which consists of using a single primer directed towards microsatellite regions under high stringency reaction conditions. Twenty snails of each population from eight distant Brazilian localities were analyzed. Morphology and PCR-RFLP were used for previous specific identification of the snails. Bands generated after gel electrophoresis of the SSR-PCR products of each snail were used to study intra- and interpopulation genetic variability. Fifty-five prominent bands were considered in a pairwise band comparison for the determination of genetic variability. Genetic variability was greater between populations than within populations. Snail populations from the field and the laboratory presented almost no genetic differences. No relationship between genetic variability and geographic distance was found. SSR-PCR proved to be a good alternative molecular tool for the population study of B. glabrata.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou-FIOCRUZ, Avenida Augusto de Lima 1715, Barro Preto, CEP 30190-002, MG, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
authors.forename: Y R
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Campos
authors.forename: O S
authors.initials: OS
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.forename: C O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Goveia
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Romanha
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001700:Biomphalaria / Q000235:genetics* / Q000469:parasitology; D001938:Brazil; D014644:Genetic Variation; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni / Q000502:physiology*