A re-evaluation of the occurrence of freshwater molluscs in the Kruger National Park

Abstract

Most of the previous records of the freshwater molluscs from the Kruger National Park date back prior to and up to 1966. On account of several droughts between 1966 and 1995 it was decided to do a survey of the freshwater mollusc population in 1995 to evaluate the effect of these droughts. The traditional mollusc intermediate hosts were also screened for trematode parasites to establish whether or not they were infected. No infected molluscs were found. Eight of the 19 species reported up to 1966 were not found during the 1995 survey. Three new mollusc species were collected in 1995. The consequences of the drought are clearly visible when the species diversity found in the dams in the 1995 survey, is compared to what was previously recorded.