ABSTRACT
There is sufficient information to devote a chapter to Bulinus, rather than Biomphalaria, partly because its species are more diverse. Another reason for Bulinus having received more attention is the great variation among its species in compatibility with schistosomes. Observations on living Bulinus appear in many other parts of this book (especially in relation to parasites and abiotic ecological factors). This chapter concentrates on three aspects: the taxonomic history and development of biological concepts of the species, the attributes that contribute to their success and, more speculatively since the facts are unfortunately meagre, evolution within the genus.
