Species Diversity, Distribution, and Abundance of Freshwater Snails in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Disease distribution is correlated to the of freshwater snails which in turn influenced by physicochemical status habitats. This study aimed evaluate snail species diversity, abundance, and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province, South Africa, between December 2020 February 2021. A total 4576 consisting 8 were collected from 127 sites 11 districts. Tarebia granifera most abundant (n = 2201), while bivalves 95) least abundant. The highest Shannon–Weiner Simpson’s diversity indices recorded Ugu iLembe districts, respectively. negative relationship was observed rainfall, Bulinus tropicus, Lymnaea natalensis, bivalves, Physa acuta, temperature had a positive with B. globosus, pfeifferi, T. granifera. globosus pfeifferi (r 0.713, p < 0.05). Snail presence constitutes potential health economic risks humans animals contact waterbody. Hence, our described current distribution, KZN province insights into possibilities snail-based biological control for schistosomes intermediate host snails.