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Home / Equine Research Bank / Trop Life Sci Res / Development and Survivability of The Free-Living Stage Larva...
Tropical life sciences research2025; 36(3); 101-120; doi: 10.21315/tlsr2025.36.3.5

Development and Survivability of The Free-Living Stage Larvae of Equine Strongyles in Different Environments and Soil Types.

Abstract: Equine strongyles are harmful gastrointestinal parasites affecting horses' health and productivity. In tropical regions, environmental conditions, including temperature and soil type, significantly influence the development and survivability of strongyle larvae. This study aims to assess the development and survival of third-stage larvae (L3) of strongyles under different temperatures and soil types commonly found in Malaysia. Faecal samples from five adult horses aged between 22-24 years that were kept under a semi-intensive management system and had no history of recent anthelmintic treatment for the past six months and did faecal culture at various controlled temperatures: 21 ± 1°C, 26 ± 1°C, 29 ± 1°C and 32 ± 1°C, and soil type (peat, clay, residual and sandy). The presence of strongyle eggs was identified using faecal floatation, while larval development was monitored daily for 30 consecutive days using the Baermann technique and light microscopy. The time required for development from egg to L3 was shortest at 29°C-32°C (5-6 days) and longest at 21°C-26°C (8-9 days). Peat soil supported the highest survivability (up to 68%) compared to sandy and clay soils, which had the lowest survivability (50% and 41%, respectively). This study highlights the role of tropical soil environments in larval survival. It offers insights into improved parasite control strategies, suggesting future investigations using field trials to explore the role of faecal moisture and microbial interactions in L3 persistence. Strongylus merupakan parasit gastrointestinal yang memudaratkan kesihatan dan produktiviti kuda. Di kawasan tropika, faktor persekitaran termasuk suhu dan jenis tanah mempengaruhi perkembangan serta kelangsungan hidup larva strongylus. Kajian ini bertujuan menilai perkembangan dan kelangsungan hidup larva peringkat ketiga (L3) strongylus di bawah variasi suhu dan jenis tanah yang biasa ditemui di Malaysia. Sampel najis diambil daripada lima ekor kuda dewasa berumur 22–24 tahun yang dipelihara secara separa intensif dan tidak menerima rawatan anthelmintik dalam tempoh enam bulan sebelumnya. Kultur najis dijalankan pada suhu terkawal: 21 ± 1°C, 26 ± 1°C, 29 ± 1°C dan 32 ± 1°C, serta pada pelbagai jenis tanah (gambut, liat, residu dan berpasir). Kehadiran telur strongylus dikenal pasti menggunakan kaedah apungan najis, manakala perkembangan larva dipantau setiap hari selama 30 hari berturut-turut menggunakan teknik Baermann dan mikroskop cahaya. Tempoh perkembangan daripada telur ke L3 adalah paling singkat pada suhu 29°C –32°C (5–6 hari) dan paling lama pada suhu 21°C–26°C (8–9 hari). Tanah gambut menunjukkan kadar kelangsungan hidup paling tinggi (sehingga 68%) berbanding tanah berpasir dan liat yang mencatatkan kelangsungan hidup terendah (masing-masing 50% dan 41%). Kajian ini menekankan peranan persekitaran tanah tropika terhadap kelangsungan hidup larva serta memberikan pandangan baharu dalam strategi kawalan parasit, di samping mencadangkan kajian lapangan pada masa hadapan untuk meneroka peranan kelembapan najis dan interaksi mikrob dalam kelangsungan L3.
© Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2025.
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Publication Date: 2025-10-31 PubMed ID: 41356397PubMed Central: PMC12677972DOI: 10.21315/tlsr2025.36.3.5Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

Overview

  • This research investigates how different tropical temperatures and soil types affect the development and survival of the third-stage larvae (L3) of equine strongyles, parasites that harm horse health.
  • The study specifically explores larval development timing and survivability across various environmental conditions common in Malaysia to inform better parasite control strategies.

Background and Importance

  • Equine strongyles are gastrointestinal parasites causing significant health and productivity problems in horses.
  • The lifecycle of these parasites includes a free-living larval stage (L3) in the environment, critical for transmission to new hosts.
  • Environmental factors such as temperature and soil type are known to influence larval survival and development, especially in tropical regions like Malaysia.
  • Understanding these factors can lead to improved parasite control measures, potentially reducing infection rates in horses.

Study Objectives

  • To measure how temperature variations typical of Malaysia’s tropical climate influence the development time from egg to infective L3 larvae.
  • To evaluate the survivability of strongyle larvae on different soil types commonly found in Malaysia, including peat, clay, residual, and sandy soils.
  • To generate data applicable to optimizing parasite management strategies in tropical equine settings.

Methodology

  • Faecal samples were collected from five adult horses aged 22–24 years old, all managed semi-intensively and free from recent anthelmintic treatments for six months, ensuring active parasite presence.
  • Strongyle eggs in feces were detected using a flotation technique, a common parasitological method for egg identification.
  • Faecal cultures were incubated at four controlled temperatures: 21 ± 1°C, 26 ± 1°C, 29 ± 1°C, and 32 ± 1°C.
  • Samples were also placed on four different soil types: peat, clay, residual, and sandy soil, to observe differences in larval survival.
  • Larval development to the infective third stage (L3) was monitored daily over 30 consecutive days using the Baermann technique (which isolates larvae) combined with light microscopy.

Key Findings

  • Development Rate:
    • The time from egg to L3 stage was shortest at warmer temperatures (29°C–32°C), averaging 5–6 days.
    • The development was slower at cooler temperatures (21°C–26°C), requiring 8–9 days.
    • This indicates temperature significantly accelerates the parasite lifecycle in tropical environments.
  • Larval Survivability:
    • Peat soil supported the highest L3 survival, with up to 68% of larvae surviving the 30-day period.
    • Sandy and clay soils had lower survivability rates, approximately 50% and 41%, respectively.
    • These differences highlight soil composition’s impact on environmental persistence of larvae, possibly due to moisture retention and microbial activity differences among soil types.

Implications and Future Research

  • This study emphasizes the need to consider local soil and temperature conditions when designing parasite control programs for horses in tropical regions.
  • Strategies could be tailored to target periods and environments where larval development and survival are maximized, potentially improving the timing and effectiveness of anthelmintic treatments.
  • Future research is suggested to conduct field trials that incorporate factors like faecal moisture content and interactions with soil microbes, which may further influence L3 survival and transmission dynamics in natural settings.
  • Such studies would deepen understanding of parasite ecology and could contribute to developing integrated parasite management programs reducing dependency on chemical treatments.

Summary

  • The development and survival of equine strongyle larvae are strongly influenced by temperature and soil type in tropical Malaysia.
  • Warmer temperatures speed up the parasite lifecycle, while peat soils offer a more favorable environment for larval longevity.
  • Findings inform sustainable parasite control tailored to tropical environmental conditions, with a call for further field-based studies to explore additional ecological factors affecting larval persistence.

Cite This Article

APA
Malek IA, Baharudin F, Peng TL, Sabri J. (2025). Development and Survivability of The Free-Living Stage Larvae of Equine Strongyles in Different Environments and Soil Types. Trop Life Sci Res, 36(3), 101-120. https://doi.org/10.21315/tlsr2025.36.3.5

Publication

Tropical life sciences research
ISSN: 1985-3718
NlmUniqueID: 101539351
Country: Malaysia
Language: English
Volume: 36
Issue: 3
Pages: 101-120

Researcher Affiliations

Malek, Idzana Ab
  • Department of Biomedical Engineering and Health Science, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai, Johor, Malaysia.
Baharudin, Fuziaton
  • Department of Veterinary Paraclinical Study, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, 16100 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia.
Peng, Tan Li
  • Department of Veterinary Paraclinical Study, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, 16100 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia.
Sabri, Jasni
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, 65151 Malang, East Java, Indonesia.

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