Chemical and immunochemical studies on the structure of four snail galactans

The four snail galactans studied are polysaccharides of high molecular weight that are composed entirely of d- and l-galactosyl residues. AaG and CnG, which had not previously been studied, are highly branched galactans composed mainly of (1→3)- and (1→6)-linked galactosyl residues, as shown by the results of periodate oxidation and permethylation studies. On methylation, HpG, CnG, and AaG yielded ～40% of 2,3,4,6-tetra-, 40% of 2,4-di-, 7–14% of 3,4,6-tri-, and 8–12% of 2,4,6-tri-O-methylGal derivatives. BgG gave equal amounts of tetra- and di-O-methyl derivatives, and 8.5% of 2,4,6-tri-O-methylGal, and 10% was unmethylated Gal, indicating 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 substitution not previously reported in nature. Antisera to the four galactans showed various degrees of cross-reactivity, indicating structural differences ascribable partially to determinants involving a galactose phosphate and, probably, to the linkage and the position of l-Gal in the molecule. The galactans differed in susceptibility to d-galactose oxidase, and some of the immunochemical observations are most probably attributable to species-specific differences in distribution of linear stretches and branches. The first stages of Smith degradation of HpG and AaG showed a substantial increase in unsubstituted (1→3)- and (1→6)-linked residues. These results, and the appearance of linear stretches within the native galactans preclude the strictly dichotomously-branched structure proposed earlier.     

A laboratory assessment of the potential molluscicidal activity of some Nigerian plant species used as anthelmintics

Laboratory studies were conducted to determine the potential molluscicidal activity of five Nigerian plant species used in alternative medicine practice as anthelmintics. Laboratory-bred adult Biomphalaria pfeifferi, the snail host of Schistosoma mansoni in Nigeria, and their viable 0- to 24-hour-old egg masses were separately exposed for 24 hours, in replicated bioassays, to 7.81–4 000 mg l^?1 concentrations of crude ethanolic extracts of the leaves and roots of Annona senegalensis, Anogeissus leiocarpus, Crotalaria retusa, Dalbergia sissoo and Vernonia amygdalina. Fruits and stem bark of D. sissoo were also investigated. The 24-hour LC50 and LC90 values of extracts for target organisms were calculated using probit analysis. Susceptibility of target organisms to extracts varied with the plant species and morphological part. Egg masses and adult snails were most susceptible to D. sissoo fruit extract (LC90 values of 89.29 and 74.33 mg l^?1, respectively) and least susceptible to V. amygdalina leaf extract (LC90 values of 11 864.09 and 6 241.61 mg l^?1, respectively). Concentration-dependent behavioural responses and embryo deaths at the gastrula/exogastrula and/or prehatch snail stages of development were observed in exposed snails and egg masses, respectively. Tested extracts of A. senegalensis, A. leiocarpus, C. retusa and V. amygdalina did not show appreciable toxicities to B. pfeifferi egg masses or adults. For demonstrating significant molluscicidal activity (LC90 < 100 mg l^?1) and toxicities to egg masses, we recommend further studies on the ethanolic extracts of D. sissoo fruits and roots.     

Vertical movement and time allocation of a freshwater pulmonate snail

The paper presents an analysis of locomotion and location in a vertical water column of 10Biomphalaria glabrata, under constant conditions of light, temperature, and food availability. Individual snails varied in distance traveled, and in the percentage of time spent in different areas of the water column. Distance covered ranged from 53 cm to 100 cm h^–1 . Approximately 21% of locomotion was observed to be passive (floating up or sinking down). Snails spent approximately 58% of the time in the bottom section, 35% in the top section and only 7% in the middle region. The study provides baseline data that can be used to compare further studies ofBiomphalaria glabrata as various conditions are altered.