Chromosomal Studies on the Egyptian Fresh Water Snail Biomphalaria alexandrina by using Transmission and Scanning Electron Microscope

Abstract

The present study is an approach to investigate the chromosomal pattern of Biomphalaria alexandrina snails. This may be useful for breaking the host-parasite relationship, which is very specific and dependable on the genetic (chromosomal) status of these hosts. Freshwater snails are essential for the transmission of schistosomiasis by acting as intermediate hosts for the disease-causing parasite. The objective of this study clarifies the four meiotic divisions that begin with Interphase, prophase, metaphase, and anaphase by Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and measuring the lengths of chromosomes by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Results showed the number of the chromosomes of B. alexandrina snails N=18, 2N=36 including 4 types of chromosomes, 5 metacentric pairs, 4 submetacentric pairs, 3 acrocentric pairs, and 6 telocentric pairs chromosomes, they were arranged in a descending manner according to the total length that between 12-2 µm. Notably, the present work is the first chromosomal study of B. alexandrina snails by using TEM and SEM. So high-resolution SEM has proven to be a useful tool for chromosomal study.