High levels of third-stage larvae (L3) overwinter survival for multiple cattle gastrointestinal nematode species on western Canadian pastures as revealed by ITS2 rDNA metabarcoding.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The ability of infective larvae of cattle gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) species to overwinter on pastures in northerly climatic zones with very cold dry winters is poorly understood. This is an important knowledge gap with critical implications for parasite risk assessment and control.

Methods

Infective third-stage larvae (L3) were quantified in samples of fecal pats, together with adjacent grass and soil, before and after winter on three farms in southern, central and northern Alberta. Nemabiome ITS2 metabarcoding was then performed on the harvested L3 populations to determine the species composition. Finally, parasite-free tracer calves were used to investigate if the L3 surviving the winter could infect calves and develop to adult worms in spring.

Results<

SUBMITTER: Wang T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7488095 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature