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Parasitology research2022; 121(9); 2601-2613; doi: 10.1007/s00436-022-07577-6

Host feces, olfactory beacon guiding aggregation of intestinal parasites Gasterophilus pecorum (Diptera: Gasterophilidae).

Abstract: The aim of this study was to identify the aggregation sites and transmission characteristics of Gasterophilus pecorum, the dominant pathogen of endangered equines in desert steppe. Therefore, we tested with a four-arm olfactometer the olfactory response of the G. pecorum adults to the odors that have a great impact on their life cycle, and also investigated the occurrence sites of the adults in the area where the Przewalski's horse (Equus przewalskii) roam frequently during the peak period of G. pecorum infection. The results of four-directional olfactory test showed that the fresh horse feces had a stronger attraction rate on both male (50.4%) and female flies (38.2%). Stipa caucasica, the only oviposition plant where G. pecorum lay eggs, had a better attraction effect on females than that on males. And the attraction rates of S. caucasica to G. pecorum females in the early growth stage (Stipa I) and mid-growth stage (Stipa II) were 32.8% and 36.8%, respectively. In addition, the two-directional olfactory test showed that the attraction rate of males to fresh horse feces (68.90%) was higher than that to Stipa II (31.10%), and females also showed similar olfactory responses. Moreover, in our field investigation, 68.29% of G. pecorum adults were collected from around the horse feces. The results of laboratory test and field investigation implied that the location mechanism of G. pecorum aggregation for mating is related to the orientation of horse feces. The horse feces and the vicinity are the key contamination areas of G. pecorum, and it is also the areas where horses are seriously infected with G. pecorum. Those fresh feces, which gather abundant information about the host, naturally had the greatest chance of contacting with the host; G. pecorum adults create the opportunity to enter directly into the host's mouth and infect the host by laying eggs on S. caucasica, which is the most favorite plant of the host in this area. These characteristics are one of the main reasons why G. pecorum has become the dominant species under the condition of sparse vegetation in desert steppe.
© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.
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Publication Date: 2022-07-05 PubMed ID: 35788769PubMed Central: 4226234DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07577-6Google 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.

The research study focuses on the behavior and transmission characteristics of Gasterophilus pecorum, a parasite significantly impacting endangered equines in desert steppe environments. The paper notes important factors like host feces and specific plant types in driving the aggregation and mating behavior of these parasites.

Research Objectives and Methodology

  • The study aimed to understand the aggregation sites and transmission characteristics of Gasterophilus pecorum, a dominant parasite affecting endangered equines, specifically Przewalski’s horse, Equus przewalskii, in desert steppe environments.
  • The researchers performed olfactory tests using a four-arm olfactometer to study the parasite’s response to odors impacting its life cycle.
  • They examined the locations frequented by adult parasites during peak infection periods.

Findings: Role of Fresh Horse Feces

  • The study discovered that fresh horse feces had a strong attraction for both male (50.4% attraction rate) and female flies (38.2% attraction rate).
  • In a two-directional olfactory test, the attraction rate of males to fresh horse feces was 68.90% and that of females was similar.
  • Field investigations also showed that 68.29% of G. pecorum adults were collected from areas surrounding horse feces.

Findings: Role of Stipa Caucasica Plant

  • Stipa caucasica, a plant where G. pecorum lays eggs, had a stronger attraction for female flies compared to males.
  • The attraction rates for early growth (Stipa I) and mid-growth stage (Stipa II) of this plant for female G. pecorum were 32.8% and 36.8% respectively.

Conclusions and Implications

  • The study concluded that G. pecorum’s aggregation and mating behavior are heavily influenced by the odor of host feces and the presence of S. caucasica plants.
  • The areas around horse feces are key contamination areas for G. pecorum and are also where horses are most severely infected.
  • The research implies that managing the feces and surroundings could be a viable strategy for controlling the spread of this parasite.

Cite This Article

APA
Zhang K, Zhou R, Huang H, Ma W, Qi Y, Li B, Zhang D, Li K, Chu H. (2022). Host feces, olfactory beacon guiding aggregation of intestinal parasites Gasterophilus pecorum (Diptera: Gasterophilidae). Parasitol Res, 121(9), 2601-2613. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-022-07577-6

Publication

Parasitology research
ISSN: 1432-1955
NlmUniqueID: 8703571
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 121
Issue: 9
Pages: 2601-2613

Researcher Affiliations

Zhang, Ke
  • Key Laboratory of Non-Invasive Research Technology for Endangered Species, School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.
  • Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Science, Xining, 810001, China.
Zhou, Ran
  • Key Laboratory of Non-Invasive Research Technology for Endangered Species, School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.
Huang, Heqing
  • Chongqing Academy of Environmental Science, Chongqing, 401147, China.
Ma, Wei
  • Mt. Kalamaili Ungulate Nature Reserve, Changji, Xinjiang, 831100, China.
Qi, Yingjie
  • Mt. Kalamaili Ungulate Nature Reserve, Changji, Xinjiang, 831100, China.
Li, Boling
  • China National Environment Monitoring Center, Beijing, 100012, China.
Zhang, Dong
  • Key Laboratory of Non-Invasive Research Technology for Endangered Species, School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.
Li, Kai
  • Key Laboratory of Non-Invasive Research Technology for Endangered Species, School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China. jiujiu@bjfu.edu.cn.
Chu, Hongjun
  • Institute of Forest Ecology, Xinjiang Academy of Forestry, Urumqi, 830063, China. hongjunchualtai@hotmail.com.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Desert Climate
  • Diptera / physiology
  • Endangered Species
  • Feces / chemistry
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / parasitology
  • Horse Diseases / transmission
  • Horses
  • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / parasitology
  • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / transmission
  • Male
  • Parasites / growth & development
  • Parasites / isolation & purification
  • Plant Development
  • Plants

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