New Record of Peregriana labiata (Rossmässler, 1835) (Gastropoda: Lymnaeidae) in Kelkit Basin (NE Anatolia): Effect of Altitudes on Distribution and Morphological Characters

Peregriana labiata (Rossmässler, 1835) is a broadly distributed Palaearctic freshwater snail belonging to the family Lymnaeidae and it is an intermediate host of Fascioloides manga causing Fasciolosis as a snail-borne trematode disease. The disease negatively influences the livestock sector and human health with increasing prevalence in the last decades. As a helpful tool, geographical distribution of P. labiata was assessed in Kelkit Basin (North-East Anatolia) as a risk area for fasciolosis transmission. 85 sampling sites were sampled from different habitats in Kelkit Basin (NE Anatolia). The first evidence of P. labiata occurrence was revealed in the basin. In addition, the effects of altitudes on abundance, distribution and shell characters of P. labiata were investigated in several ecosystems. The highest values for SL (standard length) and W (weight) were recorded as 11.80 ± 0.10 mm and 0.17 ± 0.14 g at an altitude of 1233 m, respectively. The highest occurrence of P. labiata was observed at altitudes of 728 m (17%) and 1223 m (16%). PCA analysis showed a strong correlation between SpH (spire height) and AW (aperture width). Overall, the broad range of samples gathered from different altitudes strengthened the idea that the shell characteristics vary with altitude.