Preliminary observations on Schistosoma curassoni Brumpt, 1931 in Niger.

F. Mouchet', C. Véra', P. Brémond' and A. Théron' 'Antenne ORSTOM, CERMESIOCCGE, B.P. 10887, Niamey, Niger; 'Laboratoire de Biologie Animale, UA C N R S 698, Centre de Biologie et d'Ecologie Tropicale et Méditma&enne, Université Avenue de Villeneuve, 66025 Perpignan Cedex, France that B. s&egalensis was marginally compatible with S. curassuni. Malacological surveys during September and October have revealed that B. senegalensis occurs very frequently in temporary ponds throughout Niger (F. Mouchet, personal communication). To our knowledge, no malacological survey has been done in the eastern part of the country during the favourable season for the development of B. umbilicatus. From studies conducted in the western zone by CERMES and INRAN, it appears that, even though it has been reported in the two localities, B. umbilicatus is rare. Further studies are planed to determine the major biological and epidemiological features of S. curassuni in Niger in order to assess its genetic relationships with S. curassoni from Senegal and with S. haematobium and S. bovis from Niger.