Dispersal of Dictyocaulus viviparus larvae from bovine faeces in Ireland
Somers, C.J.; Downey, N.E.; Grainger, J.N.
Veterinary Record 116(25): 657-660
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 2930934 Document Number: 259021
An involvement of Pilobolus species fungus in the dispersal of D. viviparus third stage larvae from dung to surrounding herbage under Irish conditions was investigated. The presence of P. kleinii on artificial dung pats containing first stage larvae of D. viviparus was associated with a 19-fold increase in numbers of third stage larvae recovered from the surrounding herbage. A subjective examination of natural dung pats showed that the presence of Pilobolus species was significantly correlated with hours of bright sunshine, total rainfall and the height of herbage surrounding the pats. A multiple regression analysis showed that meteorological parameters and the height of surrounding herbage accounted for 38% of the variation in growth of Pilobolus species on dung pats. The incidence of extensive damage to natural dung pats within five days of deposition, caused by biotic factors, another possible cause of D. viviparus third stage larvae dispersal, varied from 0 to 92% of the pats depending on their degree of dryness.