Does Snail Host Size Matter for Infections by Parasitic Flatworms?

Does Snail Host Size Matter for Infections by Parasitic Flatworms?

Date

3-6-2026

Faculty Mentor

Lori Tolley-Jordan, Biology

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Submission Type

Conference Proceeding

Location

4:00-4:10pm | Merrill Hall

Description

Alabama’s freshwater streams are considered a global hotspot for snail diversity. Freshwater periwinkles are one of the most common and diverse snail groups in the southeastern United States, yet surprisingly little is known about their biology or their role in stream ecosystems. These snails are also essential hosts for the early life stages of parasitic flatworms, many of which remain poorly studied. One such snail, Elimia godwini, is found only in streams and springs in Calhoun County, Alabama. This species hosts an unusually large parasite, Proterometra epholkus, which was first described from these local snails. Because the parasite is nearly as large as its snail host, and previous studies suggest that larger snails are more likely to be infected, we predicted that larger snails would show higher infection rates. In fall 2025, 115 snails were collected from a local stream in Jacksonville, Alabama. Each snail was measured and examined for parasites. Of the snails collected, 25 were infected. Surprisingly, infected snails were not larger than uninfected snails, indicating that even small snails support growth of large parasites. These results raise new questions about how parasites interact with their snail hosts and whether similar patterns occur in other streams. Overall, this study highlights how much remains to be learned about the hidden biodiversity and ecological relationships in Alabama’s freshwater ecosystems.

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The original presentation of the paper Does Snail Host Size Matter for Infections by Parasitic Flatworms? was given at the Student Research Symposium on 6 March; this video is from the Student Research Symposium Awards Ceremony held 16 March 2026 at Merrill Hall Auditorium.

This paper won Best in Discipline (Undergraduate) for Science and Math for the College of Arts, Humanities, and Sciences

Keywords

student research, biology

Rights

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Disciplines

Biology

Does Snail Host Size Matter for Infections by Parasitic Flatworms?

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