BIOMPHALARIA Meaning and
Definition
-
Biomphalaria is a genus of freshwater snails belonging to the family Planorbidae. These snails are known for their important role in the transmission of schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions. The genus Biomphalaria comprises several species, all of which have a sinistral or left-coiled shell, distinguishing them from other snails in the family Planorbidae.
Biomphalaria snails are intermediate hosts for the schistosome parasites, which cause schistosomiasis in humans. The snails serve as a habitat and breeding ground for the parasites, facilitating their life cycle. Upon infection, the parasites undergo development in the Biomphalaria snails, eventually shedding larvae that can penetrate the human skin when individuals come into contact with infested water. This leads to the transmission of the disease.
The identification and study of Biomphalaria snails play a crucial role in understanding the epidemiology and control of schistosomiasis. Various species of Biomphalaria have been identified in different parts of the world, and their distribution, abundance, and susceptibility to the schistosome parasites are important factors influencing the transmission dynamics of the disease.
Efforts to control schistosomiasis often involve the monitoring and control of Biomphalaria snails. Measures such as mollusciciding (the use of chemical agents to eliminate snails) and environmental modifications to minimize snail habitats are commonly employed to reduce the snail population and interrupt the transmission cycle of schistosomiasis.
Common Misspellings for BIOMPHALARIA
- viomphalaria
- niomphalaria
- hiomphalaria
- giomphalaria
- buomphalaria
- bjomphalaria
- bkomphalaria
- boomphalaria
- b9omphalaria
- b8omphalaria
- biimphalaria
- bikmphalaria
- bilmphalaria
- bipmphalaria
- bi0mphalaria
- bi9mphalaria
- bionphalaria
- biokphalaria
- biojphalaria
- biomohalaria
Etymology of BIOMPHALARIA
The word "Biomphalaria" derives from the Greek roots "bio" meaning "life" and "omphalo" meaning "navel" or "umbilicus". The term was first coined by the French physician Alexandre Jean-Baptiste Leidy in 1851 when he described a snail species with a distinctive umbilical opening at the base of its shell. The name "Biomphalaria" was given to a genus of freshwater snails, with some species being known for their medical significance as intermediate hosts of the parasitic disease schistosomiasis (also known as bilharzia).
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
