The article addresses the discovery of Biomphalaria occidentalis, a mollusk whose shell is indistinguishable from that of B. tenagophila, natural vector of Schistosoma mansoni. This reconstruction of the history of its discovery necessarily entails reference to the professional life of malacologist Wladimir Lobato Paraense. In addition to demonstrating how essential basic biology and taxonomy are in the epidemiology of schistosomiasis mansoni, the study also focuses on the discovery process itself and the socioeconomic factors which influenced it.
Biomphalaria occidentalis; history; scientific discovery