An extensive malacological survey was carried out between 2005-2009 in order to clarify the exact number of lymnaeid species which may be intermediate hosts of
Fasciola hepatica
in Venezuela. Four species were discovered during this survey, including two local species:
Lymnaea cubensis
and
Lymnaea cousini
and two exotic species:
Lymnaea truncatula
and
Lymnaea columella
. The most common local species was
L. cubensis
which was found at 16 out of the 298 sampling sites. This species has a large distribution area throughout the Northern part of Venezuela and was encountered from sea level to an altitude of 1,802 m in state of Trujillo. The second local species
L. cousini was collected at only two sites of the Andean Region at altitudes of 3,550 m and 4,040 m, respectively. The European
L. truncatula was found at 24 sites all located in the states of Mérida and Táchira at an altitude varying between 1,540-4,000 m. The respective distribution areas of
L. cubensis and
L. truncatula do not appear to overlap, but more detailed malacological surveys are needed. The fourth lymnaeid species,
L. columella was collected in a canal from Mérida at an altitude of 1,929 m and in an irrigation canal from the state of Guárico, at an altitude of 63 m. The role of these four lymnaeid species in the transmission of fascioliasis in Venezuela is discussed.