Elektroforetiese skeidings van die proteïne in die perivitellienvog van die basommatophora [Mollusca] as taksonomiese hulpmiddel

Abstract

Electrophoretic separation of the proteins of the perivitelline fluid of the Basommatophora as a taxonomic criterion was undertaken on 13 species and sub= species of the genera Bu_Zinue and BiomphaZaria. The value of zone electrophoresis in providing insight into problems of molluscan systematics was investigated. The influence of various natural and physiological factors such as food, snail age, the age of the eggs, interbreeding, different populations and rearing temperature on the proteins in the perivitelline fluid of B. (B.) tropiaus, was studied. This information was analized statistically. It appeared that of 'all the factors tested only the age of the eggs, snail age and extreme rearing temperatures had any notable effects on the proteins in the perivitelline fluid. New method for collecting the perivitelline fluid and for applying the sample, are described. The variations resulting from the method of collecting, application and various other experimental procedures and the ways to eliminate these are discussed. It was concluded that electrophoretic separations of the perivitelline fluid provides valuable criteria for the identification of the snail species used in this study. It was found that electrophoretic separations are sensitive indicators of differences at the population, subspecies and species level. It was, however, disappointing that this technique failed to disclose any characteristics in the electrophoretograms which could be correlated with susceptibility for infestation with schistosomes.