title: [Preliminary observation on survival and reproduction of imported Oncomelania snails in water network regions: a simulated experiment].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To observe the survival and reproduction of exotic imported Oncomelania snails in water network regions.
  
  
  METHODS
  During a period between May 22, 2008 and August 7, 2009, a study pilot was established in a historical snail habitat in Qingpu District of Shanghai City. A total of 12 soil samples were collected from Qingpu, Jinshan and Songjiang districts and placed in the study area. Active marked adults snails without infections (with a female/male ratio of 1) were placed on soil surface, and the activity, survival and reproduction of snails on soil surface were observed. The temperature during the period of the study was recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the experiment period, the highest temperature was 39 degrees C, the lowest was -3 degrees C, and the average was 20 degrees C. The activity of snails reduced significantly on the soil surface at high temperature in summer and low temperature in winter. There were 91 old snails (5.2%) that moved on soil surface in March and 73 (12.2% ) in June, 2009. A total of 26 and 59 offspring snails were found respectively in April and June, 2009, with average density of 2.17 snails/m2 (26/12) and 4.92 snails/m2 (59/12) respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The exotic imported snails can survive and reproduce in water network regions. Further monitoring should be strengthened on the imported snails in these regions.
authors.affiliation: Qingpu District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai City, Qingpu 201700, China.
authors.forename: Jian-Guo
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.forename: Wen-Jiang
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.forename: Gui-Fu
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Li-Xia
authors.initials: LX
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Xiao-Ping
authors.initials: XP
authors.lastname: Xiang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D059001:Aquatic Organisms / Q000502:physiology*; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D058865:Introduced Species; D008297:Male; D012098:Reproduction; D012621:Seasons; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal; D012908:Snails / Q000502:physiology*; D013696:Temperature