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Fecundity of various species of strongylids (Nematoda: Strongylidae)—parasites of domestic horses

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Abstract

The aims of the study were to determine fecundity of several strongylid species parasitizing domestic horses and analyze possible relations between numbers of eggs in female uteri and size of both the eggs and the nematodes as well as the influence of fecundity on proportion of species in the strongylid community. Twenty-five specimens from each of 15 strongylid species (Strongylus vulgaris, Strongylus edentatus, Triodontophorus serratus, Triodontophorus brevicauda, Triodontophorus tenuicollis, Cyathostomum catinatum, Coronocyclus coronatus, Cylicocyclus nassatus, Cylicocyclus insigne, Cylicocyclus leptostomus, Cylicostephanus calicatus, Cylicostephanus goldi, Cylicostephanus longibursatus, Cylicostephanus minutus, and Poteriostomum imparidentatum) collected after necropsy were studied. The reproductive system was extracted from the female body; all eggs were removed, counted, and measured under a light microscope. Significant differences in number of eggs in female uteri of various strongylid species were observed (Kruskal–Wallis test, p < 0.001); the least numbers of eggs were registered in C. longibursatus (average = 49) and C. leptostomus (63) and the largest number in S. edentatus (5,918). Significant correlation between nematode body size and number of eggs was observed (p < 0.001). Correlation between size of eggs and body size was insignificant (Spearman R = 0.11, p = 0.70). Negative correlation was observed between number of eggs in female uteri and proportion of these species in strongylid community (Spearman R = −0.78, p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression of species proportion in the community on three predictors (number of eggs, body size, and egg size) was not significant (p > 0.05). However, the question on influence of fecundity on proportion of species in strongylid community needs further studies.

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Acknowledgments

This research (paper no. 12-14-055) is published with the approval of the director of the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station. Appreciation is expressed to the Albert and Lorraine Clay Fellowship for partial financial support for one of the authors, Tetiana Kuzmina, to come as a visiting scientist from Ukraine to the University of Kentucky to study parasites of equids. The authors thank Dr. Iurii (Yuriy) Kuzmin from the Institute of Zoology NAS of Ukraine for his consultations and assistance in preparation of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology NAS of Ukraine, vul. B. Khmelnytskogo, 15, Kyiv, 01601, Ukraine

    T. A. Kuzmina, I. I. Dzeverin & V. A. Kharchenko

  2. Department of Veterinary Science, Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40546-0099, USA

    E. T. Lyons & S. C. Tolliver

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  1. T. A. Kuzmina
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  2. E. T. Lyons
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  4. I. I. Dzeverin
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  5. V. A. Kharchenko
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Correspondence to T. A. Kuzmina.

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Kuzmina, T.A., Lyons, E.T., Tolliver, S.C. et al. Fecundity of various species of strongylids (Nematoda: Strongylidae)—parasites of domestic horses. Parasitol Res 111, 2265–2271 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-012-3077-5

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