Genetic evidence of two species in the Biomphalaria havanensis complex (Gastropoda. Planorbidae) from Cuba

Rosin of Cuban Pines for the Control of Tropical Illnesses Transmitted by Mollusks

“…The results of the genetic study suggest that this species is very different than the Biophalaria sp., although strong morphological associations exist between them (Durand et al, 1998).…”

“…Los resultados del estudio genético sugiere que esta especie es realmente diferente a la Biophalaria sp. aunque existen fuertes asociaciones morfológicas (Durand et al, 1998).…”

Identification of Biomphalaria havanensis and Biomphalaria obstructa populations from Cuba using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism of the ribosomal RNA intergenic spacer

“…The observation of two profiles for all analyzed snails demonstrated that among those populations only B. havanensis (Canasi, Arroyo Arenas, Hanabanilla, Santa Rita, Guatao, and Hanabanilla Vaqueria) and B. obstructa (Zanja Ferrer) species were found. Therefore, it is important to mention that (a) Zanja Ferrer and Calle Pila have recently been reported as type localities of B. havanensis (Yong et al 1997), (b) Yong (1998) and Durand et al (1998) reported the presence of Biomphalaria sp. in Canasi, Arroyo Arenas, Santa Rita, Guatao, and Hanabanilla, and (c) B. peregrina has also been reported in Hanabanilla .…”

“…The taxonomy of Cuban Biomphalaria species remains confused and the correct identification of B. havanensis is always in discussion. This species has been considered as very similar to B. obstructa, B. orbignyi (Yong et al 1991(Yong et al , 1995 and Biomphalaria sp., recently mentioned in Cuba by Durand et al (1998). Paraense and Deslandes (1957) reported that B. havanensis (identified as Taphius maya) is indistinguishable from B. peregrina by shell features, however they can be differentiated by the radular characteristic (Paraense 1966).…”

“…B. peregrina and B. orbignyi are morphologically recognized as similar species also (Paraense 1975b, Yong et al 1991. Yong et al (1991) and Durand et al (1998) used multilocus enzyme electrophoresis to identify Cuban snails such as B. havanensis, B. orbignyi, B. helophila and Biomphalaria sp.…”