Neglected symbionts and other metazoan invertebrates associated with molluscs from Africa's largest lake: Diversity, biotic interactions and bioindication

Freshwater molluscs are hosts for diverse metazoan symbionts. However, apart from the digenean helminths, symbionts of underreported worldwide. Therefore, this study focused on diversity oligochaetes, leeches, mites, insect larvae and nematodes associated with gastropods bivalves Lake Victoria, East Africa. Overall, 1,633 mollusc specimens representing 14 species were sampled Kenyan part lake. Each host specimen was examined to determine co-occurrence (including digeneans) other invertebrates, their microhabitat preferences on/in hosts. In addition, prevalence abundance compared obtained an unpolluted site, sites that eutrophic polluted heavy metals. total, 33 recovered molluscs: six four insects, two nematodes, one leech 18 digeneans. The nematode Daubaylia potomaca, mite Unionicola macani, Batracobdelloides sp., oligochaetes Chaetogaster limnaei, Dero digitata, Aulophorus africanus, Allonais paraguayensis Ophidonais serpentina, gorgoderid new records Victoria. Moreover, genus Bratislavia (Oligochaeta) is reported first time in Our results show parasitic mites leeches absent harboured chironomids. Likewise, there no C. D. potomaca digeneans, suggesting antagonistic interactions occur between Although digeneans individual common, occupied different microhabitats. This shows intensities U. macani significantly higher sites. What more, trichopteran larvae, recorded only site. distribution chironomid Kiefferulus chloronatus suggests preference rich organic matter ability tolerate pollution. Information might be applicable biocontrol, especially have veterinary or medical importance. Finally, a potential use as discriminators quality aquatic habitats.