Observations on the transmission and development ofToxocara pteropodis (Ascaridoidea: Nematoda) in the Australian Grey-Headed Flying-Fox,Pteropus poliocephalus (Pteropodidae: Megachiroptera)

Abstract

Findings in the Australian Grey-Headed Flying-Fox,Pteropus poliocephalus, have elucidated the life-cycle ofToxocara pteropodis. In adult bats, other than parturient females, larvae were found only in the livers. Following parturition, larvae were recovered only from mammary glands up to 2 weeks post-partum. Developing larvae were found only in the intestine of young bats from the age of two days onwards; there was no evidence of pulmonary migration.

The evidence indicates that juvenile bats commence passingToxocara eggs in their faeces at about 2 months of age and expel the worms spontaneously following weaning at about 5 months. The eggs passed in the faeces of the young bat and its mother are disseminated through-out their environment and embryonate rapidly, being infective to mice after 10 days. Under natural conditions the eggs remain viable for 6 weeks or less and are infective to bats by the oral route.