First report of Biomphalaria tenagophila (d'Orbigny, 1835) (Gastropoda/Planorbidae) in Pará State, Amazon region of Brazil.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Mollusks belonging to Biomphalaria genus are intermediate hosts of Schistosoma mansoni. In the Pará State, Northern Region of Brazil, there are reports of B. glabrata, B. straminea, B. schrammi, B. occidentalis, and B. kuhniana occurrence. Here, we report for the first time the presence of B. tenagophila in Belém, capital of Pará state. METHODS: A total of 79 mollusks were collected and examined to search for possible S. mansoni infection. The specific identification was made by morphological and molecular assays. RESULTS: No specimens parasitized by trematode larvae were detected. For the first time the presence of B. tenagophila in Belém, capital of Pará state, was reported. CONCLUSION: The result increases the knowledge about Biomphalaria mollusks occurrence in the Amazon Region and specifically alerts on the possible role of B. tenagophila in schistosomiasis transmission in Belém.