Experimental maintenance of the schistosome vector Biomphalaria glabrata on an improved alginate gel

An improved alginate formulation containing Spirulina algae or freeze-dried lettuce is described for experimental maintenance of Biomphalaria glabrata. Snail growth, food consumption and assimilation were higher on the gel containing Spirulina. The increased growth was not entirely the result of the higher food consumption observed with Spirulina, but appeared to be due to nutritional differences between the two nutrient sources. Snails responded to decreased dietary Spirulina concentration by increasing their relative level of assimilation rather than by increasing food consumption. An antibiotic treatment with chloramphenicol and ampicillin for the reduction of bacterial contaminants associated with B. glabrata is also described.