Biology
Reproduction
Paired, adult male and female Schistosoma haematobium worms, the agents of urinary schistosomiasis in Africa (composite photograph). © Natural History Museum
B. truncatus is a hermaphrodite – it produces both male and female gametes – and is capable of self-fertilization
It is also a tetraploid - has four times the haploid number of chromosomes in its cell nuclei.
The species exists in two sexual polymorphic forms - euphallic and aphallic
Aphallic individuals lack the male copulatory organ. They are capable of self-fertilization and are only able to outcross as females.
Research using microsatellite genetic markers suggest that B. truncatus snails preferentially self-fertilize rather than outcross.
Preferential selection for 'selfing' over 'outcrossing' is not unique within the genus as experimental microsatellite data has shown that B. forskalii also favours reproduction through self-fertilization.