[Competitive behavior of Biomphalaria glabrata and Biomphalaria tenagophila--laboratory studies]

Observation about cohabitation among B. glabrata and B. tenagophila revealed a greater vulnerability of B. tenagophila population during the process of competition when its density was severely decreased in 12 trials, moderate in 2 trials. It was higher than B. glabrata in only one trial. Some snail water chemical parameters analysed such as pH, alkalinity, conductivity and oxygen dissolved, and the viability rate of batch of eggs didn't give subsidy to explain the competition mechanism. The newly-born survival, in the situation of cohabitation, was low for both species. This reveals the existence of intra and interspecific competitive interaction. The fertility rate reduction of B. tenagophila during the cohabitation was considered as a cause of its exclusion. One of the factors that seems to have influenced the fertility rate was a possible wrong crossing.