Laboratory selection for increased tolerance to niclosamide in Bulinus truncatus (Gastropoda: Planorbidae) from Iran

Survivors of Bulinus truncatus from one exposure to niclosamide (Bayluscide) were used to establish the next generation in a five generation long laboratory selection for increased tolerance to niclosamide. In a comparison of the tolerance to the molluscicide between two original and two selected strains about 150 snails of each strain, divided into four size-groups, were exposed to aliquots of the same niclosamide solution on the same day and during the same time of the day. It was shown that five generations of relatively mild selection (30-50% survival) resulted in a significant increased tolerance to niclosamide in snails with only one exposure before start of the selection procedure. A comparison with published data indicated that the unselected strains did not change their tolerance to niclosamide during seven years of laboratory breeding. The strain exposed to niclosamide once in each of 16 generations showed an avoidance reaction to the chemical by crawling out of the water.