The purpose of this book is to provide an overview of the biology of the planorbid snail Biomphalaria glabrata mainly as related to the snail's role as a host of larval trematodes . This snail is of great importance in medical and economic zoology as a vector of important trematode (fluke) diseases in human and veterinary medicine and in wildlife biology. Moreover, this snail is a useful model for numerous basic studies in biology and chemistry. A book that provides modern coverage of diverse topics from the molecule to the community of this snail as related to larval trematode parasitism is not available. This book should appeal to a wide audience of biologists, ecologists, biochemists, malacologists, parasitologists, public health workers, epidemiologists, and graduate and advanced undergraduate students in biomedical and allied health sciences.
This book on "Biomphalaria Snails and Larval Trematodes" presents up to date information on the interactions of these snails and their trematode parasites, particularly on Schistosoma spp. larvae. Snails of the genus Biomphalaria are of significant medical importance since several species in this genus are obligate intermediate hosts of the human blood fluke S. mansoni, the causative agent of hepatosplenic schistosomiasis. In addition to the impact of Biomphalaria spp. on public health, these snails are also interesting models for the study of other topics such as population biology, including genetics and demography, proteomics, invertebrate immunobiology, mating systems, biogeography, among others. A purpose of this book is to provide an overview of the recent advances in Biomphalaria spp.-larval trematode interactions, especially in Biomphalaria-schistosome systems. Emphasis is placed on gaps in our knowledge that need to be filled to gain a better understanding of the relationships in these host-parasite systems. This may be critical to obtain a better understanding of our knowledge of the transmission of schistosomiasis and other snail-borne parasitic diseases. The book, "Biomphalaria Snails and Larval Trematodes" is an ideal volume for researchers and advanced students interested in modern aspects of parasitology , malacology and public health.
