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Home / Equine Research Bank / Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl / Studies on the embryonic development and larval infection po...
International journal for parasitology. Parasites and wildlife2024; 23; 100917; doi: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2024.100917

Studies on the embryonic development and larval infection potential of the stomach bot flies, Gasterophilus pecorum.

Abstract: Endangered Przewalski's horses have faced severe infections from (Diptera, Gastrophilidae) in Xinjiang's Kalamaili Nature Reserve (KNR). This study examines 's development and infection patterns in embryonic and larval stages, crucial for understanding horse botfly disease in desert grasslands. For the incubation of fertilized eggs, we established the six distinct temperature gradients: 16 °C, 20 °C, 24 °C, 28 °C, 30 °C, and 32 °C. Using the least squares method, we calculated the correlation between the developmental threshold temperature of the eggs and their cumulative effective temperature. Furthermore, we meticulously recorded the survival duration of the larvae across a spectrum of temperature gradients (-20 °C, -10 °C, 4 °C, 10 °C, 20 °C, and 30 °C) and under varying conditions (dark and light). This method allows us to analyze and interpret the impact of these environmental factors on larval survival durations. 1) The formula for predicting the embryonic development period of was N = (182.7 ± 12.03)/[T-(3.191 ± 1.48)], where the developmental threshold temperature was 3.191 ± 1.48 °C, and the effective accumulated temperature was 182.7 ± 12.03 d°C 2) The model describing the relationship between the embryonic development rate and temperature was: y = 0.0001x+0.0007x+0.0378, demonstrating a positive correlation between the development rate and temperature (R-sq = 0.989, p < 0.001). 3) Larvae in the dark group exhibited a longer survival time, with the longest being 9 months at 4 °C. The adaptation of 's embryonic development to cold temperature, combined with the extended survival period of larvae in the egg state, significantly increases the infection potential of in colder climates. This discovery offers essential insights into the predominance of in the KNR region and provides a crucial biological basis for the prevention of myiasis and the conservation of vulnerable species, such as Przewalski's horses.
© 2024 The Authors.
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Publication Date: 2024-02-17 PubMed ID: 38419737PubMed Central: PMC10901080DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2024.100917Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research conducted a detailed analysis of the development and infection potential of the stomach bot fly, Gasterophilus pecorum, in embryonic and larval stages. This is vital in understanding and preventing botfly disease in horses, particularly the endangered Przewalski’s horses. The study found that the survival and development of the fly’s larvae are significantly influenced by temperature and light conditions.

Temperature Effects on Embryonic Development

  • The researchers incubated fertilized eggs of Gasterophilus pecorum at six varying temperatures: 16 °C, 20 °C, 24 °C, 28 °C, 30 °C, and 32 °C.
  • They calculated the relationship between these temperature gradients and the developmental threshold temperature of the eggs using the least squares method.
  • The results revealed that as the temperature increases, the rate of embryonic development also increases. The model for this relationship was y = 0.0001x+0.0007x+0.0378, with a highly significant correlation (R-sq = 0.989, p < 0.001).

Survival Duration of Larvae under Different Environmental Conditions

  • The effects of temperature on the survivability of larvae were assessed under different temperature gradients and conditions of light and darkness.
  • Interestingly, the larvae survived longer under dark conditions. Specifically, they survived for up to 9 months at 4 °C.

Implications of the Study

  • The ability of Gasterophilus pecorum’s embryonic development to adapt to cold temperature, combined with the extended survival time of larvae spent in the egg state, boosts the fly’s infection potential in colder environments.
  • This adaptation possibly explains the predominance of the botfly in the Kalamaili Nature Reserve of Xinjiang, which is typically colder.
  • These findings can aid in the development of prevention methods for myiasis and conservation strategies for vulnerable species such as the Przewalski’s horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Zhang Y, Zhang K, Wang M, Wu X, Liu J, Chu H, Zhang D, Li K, Huang H. (2024). Studies on the embryonic development and larval infection potential of the stomach bot flies, Gasterophilus pecorum. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl, 23, 100917. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijppaw.2024.100917

Publication

International journal for parasitology. Parasites and wildlife
ISSN: 2213-2244
NlmUniqueID: 101599824
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 23
Pages: 100917
PII: 100917

Researcher Affiliations

Zhang, Yu
  • Key Laboratory of Non-Invasive Research Technology for Endangered Species, College of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China.
Zhang, Ke
  • Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Science, Xining, China.
Wang, Meng
  • Key Laboratory of Non-Invasive Research Technology for Endangered Species, College of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China.
Wu, Xiaojia
  • Department of Biology Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
Liu, Jiawei
  • Key Laboratory of Non-Invasive Research Technology for Endangered Species, College of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China.
Chu, Hongjun
  • Institute of Forest Ecology, Xinjiang Academy of Forestry, Urumqi, China.
Zhang, Dong
  • Key Laboratory of Non-Invasive Research Technology for Endangered Species, College of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China.
Li, Kai
  • Key Laboratory of Non-Invasive Research Technology for Endangered Species, College of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China.
Huang, Heqing
  • Chongqing Academy of Environmental Science, Chongqing, China.

Conflict of Interest Statement

Title of Manuscript: Studies on the Embryonic Development and Larval Infection Potential of the stomach bot flies, Gasterophilus pecorum.

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