title: Vector ecology of human schistosomiasis in south India and description of a new species of the genus Ferrissia (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Planorbidae).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Vector ecology and taxonomy of snails is a prerequisite for controlling schistosomiasis in the tropics. The ecology of the freshwater limpet genus Ferrissia was investigated for detection of cercariae larvae in them, and taxonomic description of a new species of the genus Ferrissia.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was conducted in 15 perennial streams from five different hills of south India. To study the seasonal patterns, a stream from each hill was selected and sampled in three seasons. In each study site, triplicate sampling was done and specimens were collected from stream substrates as well as waste material submerged in stream. Microscopic examination was carried out for detecting cercariae larvae in limpets.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three freshwater limpets (F. tenuis, F. verruca and F. fivefallsiensis) were observed. Seasonality influenced the abundance of limpets. The highest abundance was observed during post-monsoon (December and January). The distribution of Ferrissia was observed at riffle in pebbles, leaf litter and wastes (polyethylene bags and snacks cover) submerged in water. No cercariae larvae were found from the body of limpets. In this study, we described a new species of Ferrissia fivefallsiensis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results showed the distribution, habitat preference and seasonality of limpets, and recommend the detection of Schistosoma from limpets as well as human samples by use of molecular tools.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, India.
authors.forename: Anbalagan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sankarappan
authors.forename: Balachandran
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chellapandian
authors.forename: Arun Prasanna
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Vimalanathan
authors.forename: Kannan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mani
authors.forename: Dinakaran
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sundaram
authors.forename: Krishnan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Muthukalingan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D059001:Aquatic Organisms / Q000145:classification* / Q000469:parasitology*; D004199:Disease Vectors; D005618:Fresh Water; D049851:Gastropoda / Q000145:classification* / Q000469:parasitology*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000469:parasitology*; D012621:Seasons