Evidence of phenotypic differences between resistant and susceptible isolates of Pseudosuccinea columella (Gastropoda: Lymnaeidae) to Fasciola hepatica (Trematoda: Digenea) in Cuba.

Abstract

Isolates of Cuban Pseudosuccinea columella susceptible and non-susceptible to Fasciola hepatica miracidial infection were compared for cellular reaction to miracidial development, shell morphometrics, mantle pigmentation pattern, and egg laying behaviour. At 24 h post-exposure, non-susceptible snails showed an early cellular host reaction to encapsulate and phagocytise the miracidium, whereas viable transforming miracidia were observed in exposed susceptible snails, indicating that non-susceptibility resulted from resistance rather than physiological unsuitability. Susceptible isolates (more than 80% susceptible to infection) showed significantly higher values of the morphometric indices shell width/length and aperture width/length than resistant isolates (100% resistant). Mantle pigmentation pattern was analysed using Visilog software; the cumulative distances between mantle spots were plotted and compared between isolates, showing a clear distinction between groups. Egg-laying behaviour also showed significant differences with susceptible snails preferring to lay their eggs on the container's walls whereas resistant snails preferred to lay their eggs on the bottom of the container.