Population structure of Biomphalaria glabrata, intermediate snail host of Schistosoma mansoni in Guadeloupe island, using RAPD markers

Nine populations of the snail Biomphalaria glabrata, sampled in 1992 and in 1994 in the Guadeloupean focus of schistosomiasis, were studied using rand om amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. The detected polymorphism was low with 11 polymorphic markers. A canonical analysis of the genetic polymo rphism showed a significant and large differentiation between the nine popu lations studied in a restricted area of 45 km(2). A Mantel t-test indicated a significant correlation between the genetic differentiation and the geog raphical distance. A significant but smaller differentiation between a nort hern and southern group was also observed using canonical analysis. A compa rison over time has been done.