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Home / Equine Research Bank / Parasit Vectors / The impact of temperature on the life cycle of Gasterophilus...
Parasites & vectors2021; 14(1); 129; doi: 10.1186/s13071-021-04623-7

The impact of temperature on the life cycle of Gasterophilus pecorum in northwest China.

Abstract: The departure of the mature larvae of the horse stomach bot fly from the host indicates the beginning of a new infection period. Gasterophilus pecorum is the dominant bot fly species in the desert steppe of the Kalamaili Nature Reserve (KNR) of northwest China as a result of its particular biological characteristics. The population dynamics of G. pecorum were studied to elucidate the population development of this species in the arid desert steppe. Methods: Larvae in the freshly excreted feces of tracked Przewalski's horses (Equus przewalskii) were collected and recorded. The larval pupation experiments were carried out under natural conditions. Results: There was a positive correlation between the survival rate and the number of larvae expelled (r = 0.630, p < 0.01); the correlation indicated that the species had characteristic peaks of occurrence. The main periods during which mature larvae were expelled in the feces were from early April to early May (peak I) and from mid-August to early September (peak II); the larval population curve showed a sudden increase and gradual decrease at both peaks. Under the higher temperatures of peak II, the adults developing from the larvae had a higher survival rate, higher pupation rate, higher emergence rate and shorter eclosion period than those developing from peak I larvae. Although G. pecorum has only one generation per year, its occurrence peaked twice annually, i.e. the studied population has a bimodal distribution, which doubles parasitic pressure on the local host. This phenomenon is very rarely recorded in studies on insect life history, and especially in those on parasite epidemiology. Conclusions: The period during which G. pecorum larvae are naturally expelled from the host exceeds 7 months in KNR, which indicates that there is potentially a long period during which hosts can become infected with this parasite. The phenomenon of two annual peaks of larvae expelled in feces is important as it provides one explanation for the high rate of equine myiasis in KNR.
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Publication Date: 2021-03-01 PubMed ID: 33648570PubMed Central: PMC7923332DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04623-7Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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 studies the population dynamics of the horse stomach bot fly species, Gasterophilus pecorum, in northwest China’s desert steppe, to better understand the impact of temperature on its lifecycle and implications for horse health.

Research Objective

  • The research aimed to understand the population development of the bot fly species Gasterophilus pecorum in northwest China and its potential impact on the Przewalski’s horses in the area.

Methodology

  • For this study, the larvae of G. pecorum were gathered from the excreted feces of tracked Przewalski’s horses (Equus przewalskii).
  • The larval pupation experiments were conducted under natural conditions in the Kalamaili Nature Reserve.

Results and Findings

  • Findings revealed that there was a positive correlation between the survival rate and the number of larvae expelled — this is indicated by a correlation coefficient, r, of 0.630 and a p<0.01.
  • Two significant periods marked the expulsion of mature larvae: early April to early May (peak I) and mid-August to early September (peak II).
  • During peak II, which had higher temperatures, the larvae developing into adults had a better survival, pupation, and emergence rate, and shorter eclosion period compared to those from peak I.
  • The study revealed a bimodal distribution — G. pecorum peaked twice a year, leading to increased parasitic pressure on the host, namely the horses.

Conclusions and Implications

  • The research concluded that the period during which G. pecorum larvae are expelled from Przewalski’s horses lasts for more than 7 months, indicating a significant timeframe during which the hosts can be infected by this parasite.
  • The phenomenon of two peaks of larvae expulsion annually is crucial as it potentially explains the high rates of equine myiasis in the studied region.
  • Therefore, understanding the correlations between climate and G. pecorum’s life-cycle phases is key to understanding and subsequently developing mitigations for infections in horse populations.

Cite This Article

APA
Zhang K, Huang H, Zhou R, Zhang B, Wang C, Ente M, Li B, Zhang D, Li K. (2021). The impact of temperature on the life cycle of Gasterophilus pecorum in northwest China. Parasit Vectors, 14(1), 129. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-021-04623-7

Publication

Parasites & vectors
ISSN: 1756-3305
NlmUniqueID: 101462774
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 14
Issue: 1
Pages: 129

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.
Huang, Heqing
  • Chongqing Academy of Environmental Science, Chongqing, 401147, 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.
Zhang, Boru
  • Qinhuangdao Forestry Bureau, Qinhuangdao, 066004, Hebei, China.
Wang, Chen
  • Mt. Kalamaili Ungulate Nature Reserve, Changji, 381100, Xinjiang, China.
Ente, Make
  • Xinjiang Research Centre for Breeding Przewalski's Horse, Urumqi, 831700, Xinjiang, China.
Li, Boling
  • China National Environment Monitoring Centre, 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. likai_sino@sina.com.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • China
  • Desert Climate
  • Diptera / growth & development
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / parasitology
  • Horses / parasitology
  • Larva / growth & development
  • Life Cycle Stages
  • Male
  • Temperature

Grant Funding

  • No. 31670538 / National Natural Science Foundation of China
  • No. 2018123 / Species Project of Department for Wildlife and Forest Plants Protection, NFGA of China

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Citations

This article has been cited 7 times.
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