Survey of brackish-water snails in Eastern Thailand

Abstract

Various brackish-water snails in Thailand are known or suspected intermediate hosts of trematode diseases of human and veterinary importance. Surveys of brackish-water snails were performed in six provinces of eastern Thailand: Samut Prakan, Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat. Thirty-five species of brackish-water snails were present in the studied provinces. They belonged to nine families: Neritidae, Potamididae, Muricidae, Littorinidae, Iravadiidae, Thiaridae, Stenothyridae, Assimineidae, and Auriculidae. Natural infection of brackish-water snails with trematodes was revealed through shedding and crushing methods. Several types of cercariae were found, with or without eye-spots, tail fin-fold, collar spines, and stylet.