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

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

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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 Blocks 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 ALOE W VIT E 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 the first 2.5 cm closest to the soil surface for all plant species tested.

In contrast, less than 10% of the larvae were distributed 12 cm or higher.For practical purposes, our findings agree with previous studies that suggest limiting grazing below a certain height to decrease parasite consumption.Further nuanced studies are needed to identify individual plant mechanical and chemical defenses that impact the ecology nematodes of veterinary importance.