Malacological survey in the Bhumibol Reservoir, the first dam constructed in Thailand.

Abstract

Twenty-five species of molluscs were found in a malacological survey in the Bhumibol Reservoir and in the Ping River in front of the Bhumibol Dam and its tributaries in April and August 1985. Among these species, Tricula aperta or Neotricula aperta, intermediate host of human schistosomes and Bithynia (Digoniostoma) siamensis goniomphalos and B. (D.) funiculata, the first intermediate host of human liver flukes, were not found. Although some of the intermediate hosts of mammalian schistosomes, Indoplanorbis exustus and Lymnaea (Radix) auricularia rubiginosa were found, none of them were positive for the parasitic infection. However, the malacological survey in the Bhumibol Reservoir revealed the existence of colonies of edible snails, Filopaludina (Filopaludina) doliaris, F. (F.) filosa and F. (Siamopaludina) martensi martensi along the shoreline of the reservoir. Thus, it is recommended that the local villagers collect them for household consumption or for sale. This practice would augment the food supply and also increase the income of the local villagers in the Bhumibol Reservoir area.