Population Dynamics of Theodoxus jordani Snails in Yarmouk River, Jordan and Seasonal Infection with Larval Trematodes PDF

Keywords

Theodoxus jordani, Jordan, infection, larval Trematodes

Abstract

Studies on the population dynamics of Theodoxus jordani (Sowerby 1836) in two localities, Makhadah (M) and South of Makhadah (SM) at Yarmouk River, North Jordan over a 14 month period revealed a higher density at SM than at M particularly during January, 1983. The effect of flooding which occurred during February, 1983 was more drastic on snails at the SM than at M station. The appearance of young snails during September, 1983 and January, 1984 indicates that T. jordani reproduces twice a year. The overall infection rate of T. jordani collected from the two stations with two types of cercariae (tailless and microcercous cercariae) was found to be 2.7% and 1.7%, respectively. Peak infection rates with the two types of cercariae occurred during September- October and December- January at both stations.