Objective: To evaluate the predatory capacity of the Odonata, Hemianax ephippiger nymph as a biocontrol agent for the freshwater snail Lymnaea natalensis, intermediate host of Fasciola gigantica. Methods: Observations...Objective: To evaluate the predatory capacity of the Odonata, Hemianax ephippiger nymph as a biocontrol agent for the freshwater snail Lymnaea natalensis, intermediate host of Fasciola gigantica. Methods: Observations on the searching, attacking and devouring of the snails with a series of laboratory-based predation experiments, whose aims were to determine daily predation rate, differential predation on small-, medium- and large-sized snails were carried out. Results: Laboratory evaluation revealed that, the Odonata nymph could kill and consume all three sizes of snails. Searching and handling time of the predator differed depending on snail size and predator vulnerability. The predation rate varied also with respect to snail size and density.Conclusions: Our observations suggested that the predator Hemianax ephippiger may be a suitable bio-control agent of Lymnaea natalensis snail population.展开更多
Objective:To evaluate the predatory potential of the Odonata nymph on freshwater snails that serve as intermediate hosts for Schistosoma species(Bulinus truncatus and Biomphalaria alexandrina).Methods:Observations on ...Objective:To evaluate the predatory potential of the Odonata nymph on freshwater snails that serve as intermediate hosts for Schistosoma species(Bulinus truncatus and Biomphalaria alexandrina).Methods:Observations on the searching,attacking and devouring of the two snail types with series of laboratory-based predation experiments,whose aims were to determine daily predation rate,differential predation,prey preference considering small-,mediumand large-sized snails were conducted.Results:Laboratory evaluation revealed that,the Odonata nymph could kill and consume the two intermediate hosts.The number of snails consumed differed according to the snail type,size and density.The times taken for searching and handling times were dependent on the snail size,type and satiation of the predator.The predation rate varied also with respect to snail type,size and density.This study also evaluated that Odonata nymphs consumed more Bulinus truncatus than Biomphalaria alexandrina per unit time,and that there may be a preference for smaller than larger snails.Conclusions:According to our observation,the predator,Hemianax ephippiger nymph may be a suitable biocontrol agent in connection with Schistosoma intermediate hosts.展开更多
文摘Objective: To evaluate the predatory capacity of the Odonata, Hemianax ephippiger nymph as a biocontrol agent for the freshwater snail Lymnaea natalensis, intermediate host of Fasciola gigantica. Methods: Observations on the searching, attacking and devouring of the snails with a series of laboratory-based predation experiments, whose aims were to determine daily predation rate, differential predation on small-, medium- and large-sized snails were carried out. Results: Laboratory evaluation revealed that, the Odonata nymph could kill and consume all three sizes of snails. Searching and handling time of the predator differed depending on snail size and predator vulnerability. The predation rate varied also with respect to snail size and density.Conclusions: Our observations suggested that the predator Hemianax ephippiger may be a suitable bio-control agent of Lymnaea natalensis snail population.
基金Supported by Theodor Bilharz Research Institute,Imbaba,Giza,Egypt(Grant No.94M)
文摘Objective:To evaluate the predatory potential of the Odonata nymph on freshwater snails that serve as intermediate hosts for Schistosoma species(Bulinus truncatus and Biomphalaria alexandrina).Methods:Observations on the searching,attacking and devouring of the two snail types with series of laboratory-based predation experiments,whose aims were to determine daily predation rate,differential predation,prey preference considering small-,mediumand large-sized snails were conducted.Results:Laboratory evaluation revealed that,the Odonata nymph could kill and consume the two intermediate hosts.The number of snails consumed differed according to the snail type,size and density.The times taken for searching and handling times were dependent on the snail size,type and satiation of the predator.The predation rate varied also with respect to snail type,size and density.This study also evaluated that Odonata nymphs consumed more Bulinus truncatus than Biomphalaria alexandrina per unit time,and that there may be a preference for smaller than larger snails.Conclusions:According to our observation,the predator,Hemianax ephippiger nymph may be a suitable biocontrol agent in connection with Schistosoma intermediate hosts.
