Use of microsatellite variation and RAPD-PCR to assess genetic polymorphism in Biomphalaria glabrata snails from a single locale in a schistosomiasis endemic area

Abstract

Genetic variation was assessed in Biomphalaria glabrata snails using variations in microsatellite loci and by RAPD-PCR analysis. Populations of snails examined were field-collected isolates from a small pond in a schistosomiasis endemic region in Brazil, after standard conditions were developed for analyzing snails from two laboratory-maintained stocks. The analyses were performed using a total of 60 microsatellite primer sets and, for RAPD-PCR, a total of 19 random primers. We show that genetic diversity can readily be detected by both molecular methods among the field-collected snails from this small site. In addition, RAPD-PCR bands that were found in another study to segregate with parasite resistance were not detected in any of the field-collected snails analyzed.