SOME MICRO-ECOLOGICAL FACTORS INFLUENCING THE POPULATION DYNAMICS OF SCHISTOSOMIASIS INTERMEDIATE HOST SNAILS IN KHARTOUM STATE, SUDAN

This study was conducted to determine the role of some micro-ecological factors influencing the population dynamics of schistosomiasis intermediate host snails in the water bodies of Khartoum State, Sudan. The results show that the air and water temperature play a significant role in the determination of snail growth, a gradual increase of air and water temperate causing an increase in the snail population growth rate with the peak in summer. Water of high turbidity and high current speed caused a drop in the snail population. Vegetation cover in water bodies showed a significant effect on the snail population, the denser the cover the higher the snail population growth rate.