Rearing of the Snail Biomphalaria Glabrata under Axenic Conditions in Isolators
Germfree Biomphalaria glabrata were successfully reared through their life cycle in isolators. The snails were fed a diet sterilized either by heat or by irradiation. Snails fed an irradiated diet had a better growth and higher reproduction rate than the ones fed an autoclaved diet. There was no difference in survival between the two groups.
Author Notes
Fellow of Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq). Present address: Centre de Pesquisas René Rachou, Avenida Augusto de Lima, 1715, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Fellow of Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq).