PATHOLOGICAL ALTERATIONS IN THE LAND SNAIL EOBANIA VERMICULATA (MÜLLER) INFECTED WITH THE NEMATODE Rhabditis sp.

Abstract

The symptomatological and histopathological studies on the terrestrial snail Eobania vermiculata Müller infected with the parasitic nematode Rhabditis sp. showed that there is a great evidence of a direct effect of the nematodes on its movement, behavior and tissues of the snail before death. These symptoms were summarized in slow slipping, turning of the headfoot direction while slipping and suppressive feeding. Histological investigation revealed that focal cellular reaction was formed around the developing larvae in the snail tissues particularly the headfoot region. Capsules of different sizes were also developed around the nematode larvae.