Abstract:

Objective  To identify the possibilities of detecting physiological temperature of snails based on the theory of thermal radiation and infrared temperature measurement principle. Methods  The conditions for snail temperature measurement with thermal imager were initially determined in laboratory setting, then the infrared thermal imager was used to scan the snails under diverse detection conditions. Individual thermal imaging point was set and photographed for examining the properties of snail temperature through calculation of the tested results. Results  Physiological temperature showed normal distribution by (0.21±0.14)℃ under the ambient temperature at 25.5℃ and humidity in 51%. Living and dead snails had different rate of temperature change. Body surface humidity, fluid secretion and motion state were factors affecting the physiological temperature changes in snails. Yet, the age had no significant effect on the physiological temperature change of snails. Conclusion  Infrared imaging technology can be accurate, quick, safe and efficient tool for detecting snail temperature, and this technique may supply a theoretical basis for measuring the temperature changes in dead or live snails without invasion.

Key words: Infrared thermal imager, Schistosomiasis control, Snail, Temperature detection