Anatomy and Parameters of Mating System in Bulinus globosus (Morelet, 1866) a Species of Medical Interest in Ivory Coast

Reprocutive strategies in the freshwater hermaphroditic snail Bulinus globosus, a common intermediate host of schistosomiasis in Ivory Coast has been studied. The study was carried out from 50 wild individuals, and 100 first generation offspring young snails where chosen and separated into two groups of 50 snails. One group was set aside for self-fertilization and snails were kept isolated, the other group was designed for crossfertilization. The two groups were compared for individual's size, weight and subsequently monitored for the number of eggs laid, and the survival of young snails. Species identity was confirmed by conchiliogical and anatomical methods. So the test between crossfertilization population and autocrossing populations shows a low positive waiting time of 4.74 days and maximum inbreeding depression. This study confirms that Bulinus globosus is an outcrosser that can self-fertilize depending on the availability of a sexual partner and ecological conditions. This characteristic may be an advantage in colonizing new habitats