From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| iBiomphalaria |
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Species
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Biomphalaria glabrata
Biomphalaria obstructa
Biomphalaria amazonica
Biomphalaria pfeifferi
Biomphalaria tenagophila
Biomphalaria havanensis
Biomphalaria straminea
Biomphalaria alexandrina
Biomphalaria subprona
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Biomphalaria is a genus of Planorbid snail that serves as an intermediate host for the human parasitic blood fluke, Schistosoma mansoni. The fluke, which is found primarily in tropical areas, infects mammals (including humans) via contact with water containing schistosome larvae (cercariae) released from the snail. Infection occurs via penetration of cercariae through the skin. In humans this fluke causes the debilitating disease schistosomiasis.
Other flukes that parasitize snails include Schistosoma japonicum, which parasitizes snails in the genus Oncomelania, and Schistosoma mekongi, which parasitizes snails in the genus Tricula.
