Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-94fs2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-05T07:54:32.335Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Predacious activity of Duddingtonia flagrans within the cattle faecal pat

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 April 2024

M. Faedo ,
M. Larsen  and
J. Grønvold
M. Faedo
Affiliation:
Danish Centre for Experimental Parasitology, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, 100 Dyrlægevej, DK-1870. Frederiksberg C, Denmark
M. Larsen*
Affiliation:
Danish Centre for Experimental Parasitology, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, 100 Dyrlægevej, DK-1870. Frederiksberg C, Denmark
J. Grønvold
Affiliation:
The Department of Ecology, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, 40 Thorvaldsensvej, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
*
*Author for correspondence Fax: +45 35 28 27 74 E-mail: [email protected]
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Two studies were conducted to investigate the growth and activity of the fungus, Duddingtonia flagrans, within cattle faecal pats. Artificial faecal pats were constructed with the centre separated from the outer layer by a nylon mesh. Eight treatments were tested, by varying the presence/absence of Cooperia oncophora eggs and fungal spores within each layer. With parasite eggs in the centre layer, a statistically lower recovery of larvae was observed compared to both pats with parasite eggs in the periphery and pats with parasite eggs throughout both layers. Regardless of location within the pat, if co-located with the parasite egg, D. flagrans was found to be effective in trapping developing larvae. The reduction in recovery of larvae from pats with parasite eggs and fungal spores in the centre was found to be significantly higher than when parasite eggs were in the centre and fungal spores in the periphery. In the second study, pats were made up in two treatments: pats containing fungal spores and C. oncophora eggs (fungus) and pats containing C. oncophora eggs (control). The pats were incubated at low or high humidity. Ten pats were used in a cross over where five pats incubated at low humidity for 7 weeks were removed, water added and then incubated at a high humidity for 1 week. Another five pats were incubated at a high humidity for 7 weeks, aerated and incubated at a low humidity for 1 week. There was no apparent growth of fungus in faecal pats incubated at a high humidity and less than 20% of larvae were recovered. The growth of D. flagrans was observed in faecal pats incubated at a low humidity, but a corresponding reduction in the percentage recovery of larvae did not occur, except in week 4. No statistical difference between fungal and control pats was seen in the change over pats. Nematophagous activity was assessed throughout the study and observed in the first 4 weeks within the pats containing fungus.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Helminthology , Volume 76 , Issue 4 , December 2002 , pp. 295 - 302
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2002

References

Faedo, M., Larsen, M. & Thamsborg, S.M. (2000) Effect of different times of administration of the nematophagous fungus Duddingtonia flagrans on the transmission of ovine parasitic nematodes on pasture – a plot study. Veterinary Parasitology 94, 55–65.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Grønvold, J., Wolstrup, J., Nansen, P., Larsen, M., Henriksen, S.A., Bjørn, H., Kirchheiner, K., Lassen, K., Rawat, H. & Kristiansen, H.L. (1999) Biotic and abiotic factors influencing growth rate and production of traps by the nematode-trapping fungus Duddingtonia flagrans when induced by Cooperia oncophora larvae. Journal of Helminthology 73, 129–136.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hansen, J. & Perry, B. (1994) The epidemiology, diagnosis and control of helminth parasites of ruminants. A handbook. Nairobi, International Laboratory for Research on Animal Diseases.Google Scholar
Holter, P. (1991) Concentration of oxygen, carbon dioxide and methane in the air within dung pats. Pedobiologia 35, 381–386.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Larsen, M., Wolstrup, J., Henriksen, S.A., Dackman, C., Grønvold, J. & Nansen, P. (1991) In vitro stress selection of nematophagous fungi for biocontrol of parasitic neamtodes in ruminants. Journal of Helminthology 65, 193–200.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nordbring-Hertz, B. (1968) The influence of medium compostion and additions of animal origin on the formation of capture organs in Arthrobotrys oligospora. Physiologia Plantarum 21, 52–65.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Oblinger, J.L. & Koburger, J.A. (1975) Understanding and teaching the Most Probable Number technique. Journal of Milk Food Technology 38, 540–545.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Roepstorff, A. & Nansen, P. (1998) Epidemiology, diagnosis and control of helminth parasites in swine. Animal Health Manual, No. 3, Rome, Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations.Google Scholar
Wolstrup, J., Grønvold, J., Henriksen, S.A., Nansen, P., Larsen, M., Bøgh, H.O. & Iløe, B. (1994) An attempt to implement the nematode-trapping fungus Duddingtonia flagrans in biological control of trichostrongyle infections of first year grazing calves. Journal of Helminthology 68, 175–180.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed