Occurrence of a sibling species complex within neotropical lymnaeids, snail intermediate hosts of fascioliasis.

The delimitation of cryptic species within the genus Lymnaea, which are the main vectors of fascioliasis, remains a topic of controversy. An analysis of genetic variability based on 12 enzyme loci revealed different fixed alleles at 9 loci between two sympatric samples of Lymnaea viatrix at the type locality in Lima, Peru. The absence of heterozygotes within this locality indicates the presence of isolated populations or cryptic species within L. viatrix. Significant genetic differences were also found between these two L. viatrix samples from Lima and other populations of L. viatrix in South America and in addition to species such as L. truncatula, L. cubensis and L. columella. Moreover, the lack of variability within each Lymnaea samples studied indicates the existence of a high selfing rate in each species.