Allozyme Variations in Local Populations of Parafossrulus manchouricus (Gastropoda: Prosobranchia) in Korea

한국산 왜우렁이 집단의 지역적 Allozyme 변이에 관한 연구(I)

The most medically important snail species of Korea is Parafossarulus manchouricus, a member of the freshwater prosobranch family Bithyniidae. The human parasite that this snail transmits is Clonorchis sinensis, the "Chinese live fluke". On the other hand, this snail has physiological characteristics that reduce the turbidity of freshwater by its filiter feeding activity. However, a few basic studies have been carried out so far. The present studies were attempted to know 1) the possibility of culturing the snails and 2) allozyme variations among 5 local populations of this bithyniid snails. As the results of the studies, P. manchouricus was able to be cultivated in the lavoratory and showed considerable allozyme variations especially in the Chongpyung and Paldaing populations out of those collected from 5 localities in Korea. It is quite suggestive that the endemicity of clonorchiasis might be related to the allozyme variability.