Background
Oncomelania lorelindoensis is the intermediate host of Sulawesi’s Schistosoma japonicum. Schistosoma japonicum in Sulawesi originated from Anhui Guichi, China. Oncomelania lorelindoensis is one of the species in the genus Oncomelania. In this study, I report a study of Oncomelania lorelindoensis as the intermediate hosts of Sulawesi schistosomiasis japonica, their distributions in Sulawesi, and the control of O. lorelindoensis.
Results
Proto-Oncomelania originated in eastern Indonesia, Sulawesi. It spread to the Philippines, Japan, and China and then gave rise to Oncomelania. It is the intermediate host of Schistosoma japonicum. Five species are found in the genus Oncomelania, namely O. hupensis, O. lorelindoensis (formerly O. hupensis lindoensis), O. minima, O. robertsoni, and O. quadrasi. Further sequencing reveals that O. robertsoni has one subspecies, i.e., O. robertsoni robertsoni. Oncomelania lorelindoensis occurs in and around Lore Lindu National Park: the Bada Valley, the Lindu Valley, and the Napu Valley, Central Sulawesi. It may have occurred in the Kulawi Valley and the Palu Valley, Sigi Regence, Central Sulawesi Province. Control of O. lorelindoensis can use mechanic techniques, molluskicides, and genetic manipulation techniques.
Conclusions
Oncomelania lorelindoensis is found in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. It occurs in the Bada Valley and the Napu Valley of Poso Regence and the Lindu Valley of Sigi Regence. It may also have occurred in other regions around Lore Lindu National Park. The intermediate host of Sulawesi S. japonicum is O. lorelindoensis. Subspecies in O. robertsoni should be named O. robertsoni robertsoni.
