@article{article,
  keywords = {Biological control,  Biomphalaria pfeifferi, Bulinus truncates, freshwater crab, Predation, Schistosomiasis },
  author = {Okwany Z and Warui C and Kochey J and Onguso J and Mungai G},
  title = {Predatory Potential of the Indigenous Freshwater Crab Potamonautes odhneri Against Schistosomiasis Intermediate Host Snails in Kenya},
  abstract = {<p>Schistosomiasis remains a major neglected tropical disease in sub-Saharan Africa, with persistent transmission driven by freshwater snail intermediate hosts. Biological control approaches that complement chemotherapy may help reduce transmission, but their effectiveness against Kenyan schistosome-transmitting snails remains insufficiently explored. We evaluated the laboratory predatory capacity of the freshwater crab Potamonautes odhneri against Biomphalaria pfeifferi and Bulinus truncatus. Crabs were collected from rivers in the Central Kenyan Highlands, whereas snails were collected from the Mwea Irrigation Scheme, Kenya. Predation was evaluated in six sequential trials, each comprising four predator-treatment aquaria and one predator-free control aquarium, with snail survival monitored for seven days. Four aquatic macrophytes were simultaneously offered to assess their relative reduction in cover under the same experimental conditions. Survival was analyzed using a binomial generalized estimating equation incorporating snail species, experimental day and their interaction, with trial included as a blocking factor. Snail survival declined significantly with experimental day (OR = 0.317, 95\% CI: 0.290{\textendash}0.347, p \&lt; 0.001), with a significantly steeper decline in B. truncatus than in B. pfeifferi (Species {\texttimes} Day: OR = 0.441, 95\% CI: 0.384{\textendash}0.508, p \&lt; 0.001). No mortality occurred in predator-free controls. Macrophyte cover reductions were substantially lower than snail removal under the experimental conditions. These findings demonstrate substantial laboratory predatory capacity of P. odhneri against both target snail species and support its further evaluation as a potential biological-control candidate. However, the study does not establish natural predator{\textendash}prey interactions, field effectiveness or ecological safety. Mesocosm and field studies are required to determine whether the observed laboratory predation can translate into effective and ecologically appropriate snail suppression under natural conditions.</p>
},
  year = {2026},
  journal = {Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries},
  volume = {30},
  pages = {1719 - 1745},
  month = {09/2026},
  publisher = {Egyptian Knowledge Bank},
  issn = {2536-9814},
  url = {https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Zedekiah-Okwany/publication/414878257_Predatory_Potential_of_the_Indigenous_Freshwater_Crab_Potamonautes_odhneri_Against_Schistosomiasis_Intermediate_Host_Snails_in_Kenya/links/6aba1ed1db7d3b1c53a01625/Predatory-Potent},
  doi = {10.21608/ejabf.2026.510518.8347},
  language = {ENG},
}