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Home / Equine Research Bank / BMC Ecol Evol / Spatial distribution of Gasterophilus pecorum (Diptera) eggs...
BMC ecology and evolution2021; 21(1); 169; doi: 10.1186/s12862-021-01897-4

Spatial distribution of Gasterophilus pecorum (Diptera) eggs in the desert steppe of the Kalamaili Nature Reserve (Xinjiang, China).

Abstract: The dominant Gasterophilus species in the desert steppe (Xinjiang, China) Gasterophilus pecorum poses a serious threat to the reintroduced Przewalski's horses. We investigated the distribution pattern of G. pecorum eggs in June 2017. Two sampling methods, transect and grid, were used, and the results were analyzed via geostatistics by semivariance. The nest quadrat was used to determine the optimal quadrat size. Eggs were found in 99 quadrats (63.1%) and 187 clusters (1.5%) of Stipa caucasica on the steppe. The mean oviposition count of a cluster was 3.8 ± 1.6. Three-eggs is the mode of which females oviposit on each ovigerous S. caucasica (22.0%). Semivariogram analysis revealed that the distance of spatial dependence for eggs was 921 m, 1233 m and 1097 m for transect 1, transect 2 and grid methods, respectively, while spatial continuity was 62%, 77% and 57.0% for transect 1, transect 2 and grid, respectively. The eggs showed a patchy, aggregated distribution pattern. This suggested the spherical model is most applicable. The proportion of ovigerous S. caucasica was significantly correlated with the distance from water resources (r = - 0.382, p = 0). Our findings indicated that diversification of G. pecorum oviposition was a new adaptative strategy for its survival in the desert steppe ecological niche. This made it more efficient at infecting hosts in the local environment. Areas surrounding water resources, especially around the drinking paths of equids (500 m radius surrounding the water), were concentrated epidemic areas. It is suggested that more attention to be paid to the ecological characteristics of G. pecorum in order to develop control measures that would reduce the infection risk for Przewalski's horses.
© 2021. The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2021-09-06 PubMed ID: 34488639PubMed Central: PMC8422714DOI: 10.1186/s12862-021-01897-4Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 investigates the distributions of Gasterophilus pecorum, a parasitic fly species harmful to Przewalski’s horses, in the desert steppe in Xinjiang, China. It identifies the species’ oviposition patterns and theirs relation with various environmental variables to help develop better disease control measures.

Research Methodology

  • Two sampling methodologies were implemented in June 2017: transect and grid methods.
  • The ‘nest quadrat’ was used to determine the optimal quadrat size.
  • The results were then analyzed using geostatistics, specifically through semivariance.

Research Findings

  • The researchers found eggs in 63.1% of the quadrats (or plots) examined and 1.5% clusters of Stipa caucasica, a common steppe plant, utilized by the G. pecorum for egg deposition.
  • The average oviposition count per cluster was 3.8, with the most common number being three per plant.
  • An analysis of the semivariogram showed the distance of spatial dependence for the eggs on transect 1, transect 2, and the grid method was 921m, 1233m, and 1097m, respectively.
  • As for spatial continuity, it was 62% for transect 1, 77% for transect 2, and 57% for the grid sampling method.

Implications of the Results

  • The study revealed that G. pecorum eggs exhibit a patchy, aggregated distribution pattern, implying a spherical model is best suited for describing this particular pattern.
  • A substantial correlation was identified between the amount of ovigerous Stipa caucasica plants and their proximity to water resources, suggesting that these areas can be epidemic hotspots.
  • The diverse oviposition strategies of G. pecorum cater to its survival in desert steppe habitats and facilitate successful host infection.
  • The findings of this research have implications on public health policies, particularly in the areas surrounding water resources where the probability of Przewalski’s horses’ exposure to the parasite is higher.

Recommendations

  • Researchers advocate giving more attention to the ecological characteristics of G. pecorum to create effective control measures with the intent of reducing infection risk for Przewalski’s horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Huang H, Zhang K, Shao C, Wang C, Ente M, Wang Z, Zhang D, Li K. (2021). Spatial distribution of Gasterophilus pecorum (Diptera) eggs in the desert steppe of the Kalamaili Nature Reserve (Xinjiang, China). BMC Ecol Evol, 21(1), 169. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12862-021-01897-4

Publication

BMC ecology and evolution
ISSN: 2730-7182
NlmUniqueID: 101775613
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 21
Issue: 1
Pages: 169

Researcher Affiliations

Huang, Heqing
  • Key Laboratory of Non-Invasive Research Technology for Endangered Species, School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.
  • Chongqing Academy of Environmental Science, Chongqing, 401147, China.
Zhang, Ke
  • Key Laboratory of Non-Invasive Research Technology for Endangered Species, School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.
Shao, Changliang
  • Mt. Kalamaili Ungulate Nature Reserve, Changji, 381100, Xinjiang, China.
Wang, Chen
  • Mt. Kalamaili Ungulate Nature Reserve, Changji, 381100, Xinjiang, China.
Ente, Make
  • Xinjiang Research Centre for Breeding Przewalski's Horse, Ürümqi, 831700, Xinjiang, China.
Wang, Zhenbiao
  • Xinjiang Research Centre for Breeding Przewalski's Horse, Ürümqi, 831700, Xinjiang, 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. likai_sino@sina.com.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Diptera
  • Ecosystem
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases
  • Horses
  • Larva
  • Oviposition

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Li X, Xu W, Fan Y, Zhang D, Pape T. Reproductive behavior and early immature morphology of Portschinskia magnifica: implications for evolutionary biology in bot flies (Diptera: Oestridae). Curr Zool 2025 Aug;71(4):524-534.
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