Distribution of Trichostrongylus colubriformis on common pasture grasses and legumes from the Midwestern United States.

ABSTRACT: Nematodes that infect grazing herbivores rely on the ability of larvae to escape the fecal pat and ascend onto forage in order to be eaten by a subsequent host. However, pastures are polycultures of grasses and forbs that vary with respect to morphology and potential innate defense mechanisms acquired as part of their own co-evolution with nematode parasites. The objectives of this study were to 1) characterize the vertical distribution of Trichostrongylus colubriformis on a variety of plant species found in pastures in the Midwestern United States and 2) to identify plants that enhanced or inhibited larval ascent. Climbing assays were performed under greenhouse conditions whereby L3 were directly recovered from foliage. We found that at least 50% or more of the larvae were distributed on

SUBMITTER: Martin KA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11990792 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature