TY  - JOUR
T1  - Ecology of <I>Biomphalaria pfeifferi</I> in Budalangi Endemic Focus of Western Kenya
AU - M. Wanjala, Paul AU - M. Khaemba, Battan AU - I. Luoba, Alfred 
JO  - Research Journal of Biological Sciences
VL  - 8
IS  - 3
SP  - 74
EP  - 82
PY  - 2013
DA  - 2001/08/19
SN  - 1815-8846
DO  - rjbsci.2013.74.82
UR  - https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=rjbsci.2013.74.82
KW  - Ecology
KW  -molluscan vector
KW  -vectorial capacity
KW  -intestinal schistosomiasis
KW  -budalangi endemic focus
AB  - Intestinal schistosomiasis occurs in localized foci restricted to specific molluscan vector sub population areas. The molluscan vectors, <I>Biomphalaria</I> sp. have a widespread distribution in Kenya. The objective of the present study was to determine the ecology of the molluscan vector with a view of instituting targeted vector control strategies to complement deworming programmes. A study was conducted in Budalangi endemic focus in the lake region of Western Kenya between 2006 and 2008. Vector snails were sampled from four permanent water habitats and used for the ecological studies. The population dynamics and vectorial capacity of the vector snail, <I>Biomphalaria pfeifferi</I> were driven by seasonality with rainfall and temperature determining abundance (R<SUP>2</SUP> = 0.346; p&lt;0.05). Vector density was influenced by the distance from the permanent habitat (R<SUP>2</SUP> = 0.432; p&lt;0.05) and to a lesser extent the depth at the edge of the water bodies (R<SUP>2</SUP> = 0.252, p&lt;0.05). Researchers discuss the ecology of the vector in relation to the bionomics of <I>Schistosoma mansoni</I> in this study. The results of this study could be used for planning and implementing vector control programmes.
ER  -