The morphology, genetic structure, and haplotype distribution of the invasive freshwater snails Biomphalaria straminea and Physa acuta in Guangdong, China.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Biomphalaria and Physa (order Gastropoda) serve as vectors and reservoirs for infectious agents that affect both humans and animals. This study provides updated insights into the epidemiology, morphology, phylogeny, and haplotype diversity of Biomphalaria and Physa snails in Guangdong Province, southern China.

Methods

Field surveys were conducted across Guangdong Province from 2016 to 2023. Morphological observations included assessment of snail shape, shell height, and aperture width. Molecular analysis targeted several genes, including Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI), internal transcribed spacer (ITS), 18S rRNA, 16S rRNA, and 28S rRNA. Evolutionary trees were constructed with neighbor-joining and maximum likelihood methods. Haplotype networks were generated

SUBMITTER: He P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12302756 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature