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PubMed2004

The early snail acquires the learning. Comparison of scores for conditioned taste aversion between morning and afternoon.

The pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis acquires conditioned taste aversion (CTA) and maintains its memory for more than a month. Snails in our laboratory were cultured at 20 degrees C on a 12:12 light-dark cycle (light from 7 am to 7 pm). To examine the hours during which snails acquire CTA effectively, we trained some snails in the morning and others in the afternoon, and then compared their scores. CTA developed in both cases, but scores were significantly better in the morning than in the afternoon. To elucidate the cause of this difference in scores, we observed the voluntary activity of snails and found the circadian rhythm reflected in the snails' free-movement distances; distances at the circadian time 0-12 (daytime) were significantly longer than those at the circadian time 12-24 (nighttime). This rhythm was kept up for at least 3 days, even in constant darkness. In conclusion, L. stagnalis should be trained in the morning to acquire associative learning, possibly because of its greater propensity to roam about at that time as opposed to the afternoon.

Afferent Pathways↗

PubMed2000

A comparative study of mechanisms underlying digenean-snail specificity: in vitro interactions between hemocytes and digenean larvae.

A panel of 4 digenetic trematode species (Echinostoma paraensei, E. trivolvis, Schistosoma mansoni, and Schistosomatium douthitti) and 5 snail species (Biomphalaria glabrata, Helisoma trivolvis, Lymnaea stagnalis, Stagnicola elodes, and Helix aspersa) was examined to determine if known patterns of host specificity could be explained by the tendency of digenean larvae to be bound by snail hemocytes, or by the ability of larvae to influence the spreading behavior of hemocytes. In short-term (1 hr) in vitro adherence assays, there was no overall pattern to suggest that sporocysts were more likely to be bound by hemocytes from incompatible than compatible snails. Compared with the other parasites, sporocysts of E. paraensei were less likely to be bound by hemocytes from any of the snail species tested. All rediae examined, including those of another species Echinoparyphium sp., were also remarkably refractory to binding by hemocytes from any of the snails. Of all the larvae examined, only sporocysts and young daughter rediae of E. paraensei caused hemocytes to round up in their presence. This was true for hemocytes from the compatible species B. glabrata and the incompatible lymnaeid species S. elodes and L. stagnalis. The patterns of host specificity shown by this particular panel of parasites and snails were not predicted by either the extent of hemocyte adherence to digenean larvae or by the ability of larvae to affect hemocyte spreading behavior. The results of this study suggest that a role for hemocytes, although likely, may require different assays, possibly of a more prolonged nature, for its detection. Also, different parasite species (notably E. paraensei) and intramolluscan stages have distinctive interactions with host hemocytes, suggesting that the determinants of specificity vary with the host-parasite combination, and with the parasite life cycle stage.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

How terrestrial snails can be used in risk assessment of soils.

Among soil invertebrates, terrestrial snails are herbivorous and detritivorous organisms exposed to polluted soils by both digestive and cutaneous routes. Using laboratory-reared snails (Helix aspersa aspersa), we describe how the effects of contaminants on survival and growth of snails can be evaluated in laboratory bioassays. A national ring test was performed to assess the effect of Cd added to the soil or to the food. The ecotoxicity of sewage sludge also was evaluated. The present results demonstrate that toxicity depends on both the pollutants and the exposure route. Cadmium was sixfold more toxic for snails exposed via food contamination (median effective concentration [EC50], 68-139 microg/g) than via soil contamination (EC50, 534-877 microg/g), whereas the opposite occurred with the sewage sludge (EC50, 55% of sludge in the food and 10% of waste in the soil). A logistic relationship linked growth inhibition and internal Cd concentrations, which can reach 2,000 microg/g in the viscera of snails exposed to 626 microg/g in the food. No clear trend was found between Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr, and Ni concentrations in the sludge and in snail tissues. These data enabled the development of an international standard, which should enhance the use of terrestrial gastropods for both fundamental research and routine risk assessment in the terrestrial environment.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Switching on-off Snail: LOXL2 versus GSK3beta.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is considered as an essential determinant of carcinoma progression. The transcription factor Snail controls EMT by repressing E-cadherin gene expression and other epithelial genes. Snail protein stability and cellular localization is finely controlled by GSK3beta-dependent phosphorylation and subsequent ubiquitination. GSK3beta phosphorylates Snail at two different motifs which induce its nuclear export and association with beta-Trcp thus leading to Snail degradation. Recently, Snail was found to interact physical and functionally with LOXL2, a member of the lysyl oxidase gene family. Interestingly, LOXL2 seems to attenuate the GSK3beta-dependent Snail degradation. Here, we discuss the relevance of this new potential mechanism of regulation and the role of LOXL2 during carcinoma progression.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Effect of antibodies against S100 proteins on neural plasticity in sensitized and naive snails].

The influence of antibodies against total S100 protein fraction (AB-S100) and S100b protein (AB-S100b) on the activity of LP11 and RP11 neurons were studied in naive snails and during the nociceptive sensitization. Application of AB-S100 or AB-S100b (0.1 mg/ml) initiated membrane depolarization, increase in its excitability, and depression of neural responses to sensory stimulation in nonsensitized snails. The sensitization produced facilitation of neural transmission and increase in membrane excitability. Exposure to AB-S100 or AB-S100b (0.1 mg/ml) during sensitization substantially reduced its effects on neural transmission and membrane excitability. The difference between the extent of synaptic facilitation in neurons of sensitized snails and neurons of snails sensitized under conditions of AB-S100 or AB-S100b application was comparable with synaptic depression in neurons of naive snails produced by the isolated application of AB-S100 or AB-S100b. Application of AB-S100 of AB-S100b in the dose of 0.01 mg/ml did not change the parameters of neural activity. The obtained evidence suggest that S100 proteins (in particular, S100b) in L-RP11 neurons are involved in the mechanisms of membrane excitability, regulation of membrane potential and synaptic transmission in naive snails and in the mechanisms of membrane plasticity in the neurons during development of nociceptive sensitization.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

[Selectivity of opioid peptide effects on excitability and various sensory inputs in LPl1 and PPl1 command neurons participating in defensive behavior of the snail Helix lucorum].

Opioid peptides effects on neural membrane as well as neural responses evoked by sensory stimuli with different modality and site of application, were investigated in L-RPII command neurones of defensive behaviour of semi-intact preparation in the land snail Helix lucorum. Met-enkephalin (10 uM) application onto the snail CNS increases membrane excitability and produces facilitation of neural responses evoked by quinine solution (0.5%) application onto snail head and depression of reactions evoked by tactile stimulation of the head. Met-enkephalin in dose of 0.1 uM initiates only a depression of neural responses evoked by tactile stimulation of the head. Leu-enkephalin (10 uM) application suppresses neural reactions evoked by tactile stimulation of the head. Membrane excitability and neural responses evoked by quinine application onto the snail head do not change after leu-enkephalin administration. Effects appear 10-20 min after initiation of the peptide application. Initial neural responses were observed 15-30 min after CNS washing with Ringer solution. In addition, facilitation of neural responses evoked by chemical stimulation of the snail head was found 30-50 min after leu-enkephalin washing. Peptides do not change neural responses evoked by tactile stimulation of the snail foot. Neural effects of peptides were prevented by simultaneous naloxon administration (50 uM). Experimental results show selective opioid peptides' effects on excitability and plasticity of L-RPII neural inputs with site- and modality-specifics.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed2002

[Rapid identification of Oncomelania hupensis snail habitat in the Poyang Lake region by Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS)].

OBJECTIVE: To identify Oncomelania hupensis snail habitats and areas with high transmission potential by GIS/RS. METHODS: Marshland areas near high endemic villages of schistosomiasis in the Poyang Lake region were selected. Corresponding map was digitized and (Landsat 5 TM) image was corrected according to the digital map. The image in dry seasons was calculated by both normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and tasseled cap model. RESULTS: Result showed that snails spots were distributed in class 6, 7 and 8. Farther analysis of both NDVI and tasseled cap model showed that the snail habitats were mainly distributed in the areas where NDVI value was more than 110, and in tasseled cap wetness value between -10 to 3 with correction rate 94.93%. CONCLUSION: First step was to use unsupervised classification to define the class 6, 7 and 8 snail habitat environment. Second step was to extract the value by NDVI model, and to define a healthy vegetation as snail suspicious habitat when NDVI value was more than 110. Then the third step was to use tasseled cap wetness model to define the areas as snail habitats which value was between -10 to 3.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Incidence of Parastrongylus cantonensis larvae in different fresh water snails in Dakahlia Governorate.

Samples of snails were collected from different water bodies in Dakahlia governorate to assess a survey on the naturally infected snails and their infection rate with the Parastrongylus cantonensis larvae. The nematode P. cantonensis is associated in the etiology of eosinophilic meningeoencephalitis of man. Lanistes carinatus showed the highest rate of infection with 19-400 larvae per snail. Biomphalaria alexandrina, B. glabrata, Bulinus truncatus, Lymnaea cailliaudi (natalensis), L. alexandrina, and Cleopatra cyclostomoides were found naturally infected with the larvae of P. cantonensis for the first time in Egypt. The number of larvae per infected snail varied depending on the snail type. The highest rate (39.2%) of infected snails was collected from the end canals at Tanneekh and the lowest in the river Nile (12.5%).

Angiostrongylus cantonensis↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The facilitation of defensive reactions during food consumption in the snail helix: the participation of glucose and gastrin/cholecystokinin-like peptide].

Molecular and cellular mechanisms of the interrelations between the feeding and defense behaviour were studied in a snail Helix lucorum. The dynamics of defense reactions was investigated in snails with different levels of feeding motivation. Defense reactions were suppressed in hungry snails, while 15-20 min after the beginning of food intake they were facilitated. The facilitation depended on a duration of starvation. Injection of 0.5 ml of 5 mM glucose solution (up to the glucose level in the haemolymph of a food satiated snail, 1.6-2.0 mM) or injections of 20-30 ng of synthetic analogues of the gastrointestinal peptides (pentagastrin of octapeptide cholecystokinin, CCK-8) facilitated the defense reaction in a hungry snail. Parameters of the facilitation were similar to those in the period of food intake. Activity of the command neurons of defense behaviour (L-PPL1) after the carrot juice application to the lip of a semi-intact preparation from a hungry snail was glucose-dependent. Similar glucose-dependent changes of L-PPL1 activity were found after CCK-8, but not FMRFamide application during the perfusion with 0.5 mM glucose. L-PPL1, but not L-PPa2-3 neurons were most sensitive to glucose and CCK-8 level changes in the Ringer solution. Adaptive significance of the behavioural phenomena as well as glucose and gastrin/CCK-like peptide participation in these processes are discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

[Studies on negative conversion of schistosome-infected snails in mountainous region of Yunnan].

The monthly cercaria shedding of 90 artificially infected Oncomelania snails was observed under a field condition in mountainous region, Shitoudi Village, Weishan County, Yunnan Province. The results showed that 20% of teh snails shed cercaria monthly, 42.2% could shed irregularly and 37.8% stopped releasing cercariae after several times of shedding. Final direction of the snails showed that none cercaria or sporocyst could be found in part of the snails. A total of 304 naturally infected snails were observed individually every month. Samples were taken each month from the snails which did not shed cercaria, then dissected and examined. The negative conversion rate was calculated in the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth month after the first shedding, which were 36.1, 50.0, 41.0, 39.8 and 2.6% respectively.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Regulation of the length of the snail tentacle by the concentration-dependent contraction].

The tentacle of terrestrial snail with olfactory organs on the tips display complex behavior when snail investigates the new environment. We reconstructed the trajectory of the tentacle in three dimensions from two simultaneous video recordings in freely moving snail without odor and after odor application. We found that without oder the snail displayed continuous environment scanning with elongated tentacles. Odor application elicited startle-like short-term flexions of the tentacle which were independent from odor concentration and concentration-dependent gradual tentacle contraction. Identified central motoneuron MtC3 is known to produce the most part of the central tentacle retraction to the noxious stimuli. In nose-brain preparation the MtC3 responded to odors in concentration-dependent manner similar by dynamics and duration to the concentration-dependent gradual tentacle contraction in intact snail. It suggests that the MtC3 provides the central control of the extent of the scanning area by limiting the tentacle length. The MtC3-related gradual contraction of the tentacle can be aimed to tune the olfactory behavior of the terrestrial snail to the particular odor environment.

Action Potentials↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Effect of changes in extracellular calcium concentration on electrical characteristics of command neurons after defensive reflex conditioning in snail].

Studies of electrical characteristics of command neurons of the defensive reflex have shown that membrane potential does not reliable differ for both naive and learned snails with changing of the calcium concentrations in external solution. With increasing of the concentrations of calcium ions it is observed the increases of threshold potential from 14 + 0.7 mV in 2.5 mM Ca2+ to 21.8 + 0.9 mV in 20 mM Ca2+ for naive snails. Threshold potential decreases from 16.8 + 0.6 mV (saline solution for snail--10 mM Ca2+) to 13.3 + 0.6 mV in 20 mM Ca2+ with increasing of calcium concentrations for learned snails, and under its reduction it is also decreased, but less remarkably, than for naive, to 11.8 + 0.8 mV in 2.5 mM Ca2+. On the same scheme it is changed a critical level of depolarization: for naive snails it decreases with increasing of the calcium concentrations, and for learned snails it increases either with increasing of the calcium concentrations, and so with its reduction.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Common antigenicities between Angiostrongylus cantonensis and various species of snails.

Studies on common antigenicities were carried out by using rabbit sera immunized with Angiostrongylus cantonensis adult worms or the third stage larvae and antigens of various species of snails and vice versa by the immunoblotting technique. The results obtained are summarized as follows: (1) Common antigenicities between A. cantonensis adult worms and snails susceptible to A. cantonensis were observed in a range of molecular weights of 14.3 to 200 kDa. In Puerto Rican pigmented Biomphalaria glabrata and Achatina fulca, which had high infection rates with A. cantonensis, we recognized 15 to 16 bands against the adult worm, especially the band with a molecular weight of 29 kDa, which had a more intense reaction. (2) Common antigenicities between A. cantonensis third stage larvae and snails susceptible to A. cantonensis, were observed in a range of molecular weights of 14.3 to 97.4 kDa, especially A. fulica and B. glabrata, where we detected many bands in molecular weight range of 18.4 to 43 kDa. Based on the common antigenicities between A. cantonensis and snails susceptible to A. cantonensis, it is possible that the common antigenicities are one of the factors defining the different susceptibilities of various species of snails to A. cantonensis, and more bands are seen with increasing infection rates with A. cantonensis. Of those bands, the protein with the molecular weight of 29 kDa may be the main common antigen between the A. cantonensis adult worm, the third stage larvae and the snails susceptible to A. cantonensis.

Angiostrongylus cantonensis↗

PubMed1991

Guild structure of larval trematodes in the snail Helisoma anceps: patterns and processes at the individual host level.

Factors that influenced the infracommunity structure of trematodes parasitizing the pulmonate snail Helisoma anceps were studied over a 15-mo period; the guild included 8 species of parasites. Infracommunities were depauperate, with double patent infections observed in only 7 of 1,485 infected snails; a total of 4,899 was examined. Halipegus occidualis-Haematoloechus longiplexus was the most common dual infection. Both species share the same definitive host and, in both cases, eggs are the infective stage for the snail. Switches and losses of infections in individual snails were observed, suggesting the occurrence of dynamic interactions within the guild. A dominance hierarchy was constructed based on field observations and experimental infections. Echinostomatids were dominant; species without rediae in their life cycles were subordinates. Halipegus occidualis (which has rediae) was intermediate in dominance. Spatial and temporal heterogeneity in the distribution and abundance of trematode infective stages indicate that not all the snails have the same probability of becoming infected. Habitat structure, behavior of the definitive host, the nature of the infective stages, and snail population dynamics (mortality, recruitment, and size structure) generated spatial and temporal heterogeneity in this system. As a consequence, predictions of the probabilities of interspecific interactions based on an analysis of observed and expected frequencies of multiple infections could be inappropriate unless the potential sources of heterogeneity are considered.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Functional significance of AMP deaminase and adenosine deaminase in the aestivating freshwater snail, Pila globosa (swainson): possible neuroendocrine involvement.

The functional significance of AMP deaminase and adenosine deaminase has been studied in hepatopancreas of active, aestivated and ganglionic extracts-administered snails. The activity levels of both enzymes decreased in aestivating snails. Active snails injected with ganglionic extracts of aestivated snails also showed decreased activity. Contrastingly, the hepatopancreas of aestivated snails when treated with ganglionic extracts of active snails showed increased specific activities of both enzymes. The decrease or increase in the specific activities varied with different ganglionic extracts and the significance of the same is discussed.

AMP Deaminase↗

PubMed1985

Survival, growth and reproduction of the imported ampullarid snail Marisa cornuarietis in Central Sudan.

The ampullarid snail Marisa cornuarietis was imported to the Sudan in 1981 for evaluation as a biological control agent against the planorbid snails which transmit human schistosomes. In initial field studies in small protected ponds the generation time of M. cornuarietis was 4 months, as in Puerto Rico. The snails reached 4 cm in diameter after 1 year, compared to 3 cm in Puerto Rico. Their population density varied from 60 to 175 snails per metre of shore-line, compared to a similar pond in Puerto Rico where the stable density was about 115 snails per metre. The proportion surviving after 1 year was 0.03, less than the annual proportion surviving of 0.10 in Puerto Rico. Thus the preliminary results indicated that the ampullarid snails could establish strong populations in permanent habitats in central Sudan where there was adequate food, although it might take longer than it does in Puerto Rico.

Agriculture↗

PubMed1966

Host-parasite relationship of Bulinus truncatus and Schistosoma haematobium in Iran. 2. Effect of exposure dosage of miracidia on the biology of the snail host and the development of the parasites.

Laboratory experiments were carried out to study the development of Bulinus truncatus and the larval stages of Schistosoma haematobium after the snails had been exposed to various numbers of miracidia. The results showed: (1) that in the cercarial-incubation period the growth and survival rate of snails was not influenced by the development of the larval stages of S. haematobium, but that in the cercaria-shedding period the life-span of the infected snails was shorter than that of the non-infected controls; (2) that reduction of oviposition was proportional to the exposure of miracidia; (3) that the length of the cercarial-incubation period in snails was inversely proportional to the exposure number of miracidia; (4) that all the snails exposed to 20 miracidia (the maximum exposure number used) shed cercariae; (5) that snails exposed to one miracidium each shed fewer cercariae than those exposed to two or more miracidia each; and (6) that the peak of cercaria-shedding occurred 40 to 90 days after the shedding had started, varying in different groups.

Animals↗

PubMed1976

Uptake of the mosquito larvicide Temefos by the salt marsh snail, New Jersey--1973-1974.

Uptake of the mosquito larvicide temefos (Abate) by the salt march snail (Melampus bidentatus Say) in New Jersey was measured by gas-chromatographic analysis. Measurable quantities of temefos were found in the snails within 1 day after the first treatment with a 2% granular formulation but 3 weeks elapsed before uptake occurred following treatment with a temefos emulsion. Residues in the snails exposed to the granular formulation were generally more than 10 times higher than those in snails exposed to the emulsion although application rates of the granular formulation were only about three times higher than those of the emulsion. Residues in snails exposed to the emulsion fell below detectable levels less than 3 weeks after cessation of treatments although measurable amounts were found in snails exposed to the granular formulation for more than 5 weeks after the last treatment. The persistence of temefos in M. bidentatus suggests the potential for its movement through food webs exposed to the granular formulation.

Animals↗