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Zhang K, Ju Z, Zhang Y, Wang C, Mubalake S, Hu D, Zhang D, Li K, Chu H. Developmental dynamics and survival characteristics of the common horse bot flies (Diptera, Gasterophilidae, Gasterophilus) in desert steppe. Vet Parasitol 2023; 315:109870. [PMID: 36701942 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2023.109870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The genus Gasterophilus (Diptera, Gastrophilidae) is an obligate parasite of the equine family that causes widespread myiasis in desert steppe. Based on four common naturally excreted Gasterophilus larvae collected systematically in the Karamaili Ungulate Nature Reserve from March to September 2021, this paper studies the population dynamics and ontogenetic laws of horse flies, and discuss the coexistence pattern and population dynamics prediction of horse flies. The results showed that the Gasterophilus larvae had obvious concentrated development period, and the time of population peaks was different, the earliest was G. nigricornis (late March), followed by G. pecorum-Ⅰ (mid-April), G. nasalis (late April), G. intestinalis (early May), G. pecorum-Ⅱ (mid-August). The order of development threshold temperature "Cnigricornis < Cpecorum-Ⅰ ≤ Cpecorum-Ⅱ < Cnasalis < Cintestinalis" is consistent with the peak order of different larval populations. The life history survival rate (L) was as follows: Lnigricornis (83.97%) ≥ Lintestinalis (81.25%) > Lnasalis (72.42%) ≥ Lpecorum-Ⅱ (71.65%) > Lpecorum-Ⅰ (39.23%). This study combined indoor experiments and field surveys revealed the development of horse fly populations with different life strategies in desert grasslands. Based on the different development threshold temperatures of several horse flies, the staggered population dynamics of Gasterophilus form continuous infection stress on the host. In addition, G. pecorum exhibited a univoltine bimodal population distribution in this area and led to two high-intensity host infections, which is one of the important reasons why it has become the dominant species of myiasis in desert steppe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Non-Invasive Research Technology for Endangered Species, School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Science, Xining 810008, Qinghai, China
| | - Zhongrui Ju
- Key Laboratory of Non-Invasive Research Technology for Endangered Species, School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Non-Invasive Research Technology for Endangered Species, School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Chen Wang
- Mt. Kalamaili Ungulate Nature Reserve, Changji 831100, Xinjiang, China
| | - Shalitanati Mubalake
- Xinjiang Research Centre for Breeding Przewalski's Horse, Urumqi 831700, Xinjiang, China
| | - Dini Hu
- Key Laboratory of Non-Invasive Research Technology for Endangered Species, School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Dong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Non-Invasive Research Technology for Endangered Species, School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Kai Li
- Key Laboratory of Non-Invasive Research Technology for Endangered Species, School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Hongjun Chu
- Institute of Forest Ecology, Xinjiang Academy of Forestry, Urumqi 830063, China.
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Huang H, Zhang K, Zhang B, Liu S, Chu H, Qi Y, Zhang D, Li K. Analysis on the relationship between winter precipitation and the annual variation of horse stomach fly community in arid desert steppe, Northwest China (2007-2019). Integr Zool 2021; 17:128-138. [PMID: 34254452 PMCID: PMC9291967 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Gasterophilus spp. have been found to be widespread in reintroduced Przewalski's horses in the Kalamaili Nature Reserve (Northwest China). However, data on the annual variation in Gasterophilus infections are lacking. To analyze the epidemiological features and determine the cause of the annual variation in Gasterophilus infections, we treated 110 Przewalski's horses with ivermectin and collected Gasterophilus larvae from fecal samples each winter from 2007 to 2019. All 110 Przewalski's horses studied were found to be infected by Gasterophilus spp., and a total of 141 379 larvae were collected. Six species of Gasterophilus were identified with the following prevalence: G. pecorum (100%), G. nasalis (96.36%), G. nigricornis (94.55%), G. haemorrhoidalis (56.36%), G. intestinalis (59.09%), and G. inermis (3.64%). The mean infection intensity of Gasterophilus spp. larvae in Przewalski's horses was 1285 ± 653. G. pecorum (92.96% ± 6.71%) was the most abundant species. The intensity of Gasterophilus spp. (r = –0.561, P < 0.046) was significantly correlated with winter precipitation. Our findings confirmed that, in the Kalamaili Nature Reserve, gasterophilosis is a severe parasitic disease in Przewalski's horses. Winter precipitation at the beginning of the year can indirectly affect the intensity and composition of Gasterophilus spp. in Przewalski's horses at the end of the year. Therefore, the water‐related ecological regulation should be carried out to help reduce the parasite infection of Przewalski's horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heqing Huang
- Key Laboratory of Non-Invasive Research Technology for Endangered Species, School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China.,Chongqing Academy of Environmental Science, Chongqing, China
| | - Ke Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Non-Invasive Research Technology for Endangered Species, School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Boru Zhang
- Qinhuangdao Forestry Bureau, Qinhuangdao, China
| | - Shanhui Liu
- Office of Educational Administration, Beijing Language and Culture University, Beijing, China
| | - Hongjun Chu
- Institute of Forest Ecology, Xinjiang Academy of Forestry, Urumqi, China
| | - Yingjie Qi
- Mt. Kalamaili Ungulate Nature Reserve, Changji, Xinjiang, China
| | - Dong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Non-Invasive Research Technology for Endangered Species, School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Kai Li
- Key Laboratory of Non-Invasive Research Technology for Endangered Species, School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
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Li XY, Pape T, Zhang D. Taxonomic review of Gasterophilus (Oestridae, Gasterophilinae) of the world, with updated nomenclature, keys, biological notes, and distributions. Zookeys 2019; 891:119-156. [PMID: 31802974 PMCID: PMC6882926 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.891.38560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A taxonomic review of Gasterophilus is presented, with nine valid species, 51 synonyms and misspellings for the genus and the species, updated diagnoses, worldwide distributions, and a summary of biological information for all species. Identification keys for adults and eggs are elaborated, based on a series of new diagnostic features and supported by high resolution photographs for adults. The genus is shown to have its highest species richness in China and South Africa, with seven species recorded, followed by Mongolia, Senegal, and Ukraine, with six species recorded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Yu Li
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Qinghua east road 35, Beijing 10083, ChinaBeijing Forestry UniversityBeijingChina
- Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, Copenhagen, DenmarkUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Thomas Pape
- Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, Copenhagen, DenmarkUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Dong Zhang
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Qinghua east road 35, Beijing 10083, ChinaBeijing Forestry UniversityBeijingChina
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Li XY, Pape T, Zhang D. Gasterophilus flavipes (Oestridae: Gasterophilinae): A horse stomach bot fly brought back from oblivion with morphological and molecular evidence. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0220820. [PMID: 31404100 PMCID: PMC6690546 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0220820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Species of Gasterophilus Leach are obligate parasites in domestic and wild equids and responsible for cosmopolitan gasterophilosis. Although with only eight species known so far, they have received considerable attention because of their significant veterinary and economic importance. Surprisingly, we found that G. flavipes (Olivier) is a valid species based on morphological characters from male, female and the egg, after spending half a century as a synonym of G. haemorrhoidalis (Linnaeus). In the present study, G. flavipes, G. haemorrhoidalis and G. inermis (Brauer), which are the three closely related species possessing a remarkable mixture of shared morphological characters, are diagnosed and comparatively redescribed; the key to separate adults and eggs are provided, together with a series of high-resolution photographs from all the body parts. COI barcodes do not allow for a separation of G. flavipes, G. haemorrhoidalis and G. inermis, but showed a closer relationship between G. flavipes and G. haemorrhoidalis than the other two combinations, which is consistent with the morphological evidence. Geographically, G. flavipes seems to be common and widespread in the warmer parts of the Palaearctic region. Thus, the epidemiology of gasterophilosis where G. flavipes is known or supposed to occur calls for a more careful veterinarian re-assessment. A decline in the populations of Gasterophilus spp. has been noticed in Europe, but all seven Palaearctic species of Gasterophilus appear to maintain stable populations in Xinjiang (China), which may be explained by a higher biodiversity of equids and less use of anti-parasitic treatments in Xinjiang than in Europe. Our study shows that morphological characters still provide the solid backbone in classification of Gasterophilus at species-level, and updated diagnoses and a key is provided to distinguish G. flavipes, G. haemorrhoidalis and G. inermis, and to facilitate studies of epidemiology, phylogeny and host-parasite co-evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-yu Li
- Key Laboratory of Non-Invasive Research Technology for Endangered Species, School of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas Pape
- Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Dong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Non-Invasive Research Technology for Endangered Species, School of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- * E-mail:
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Li XY, Chen YO, Wang QK, Li K, Pape T, Zhang D. Molecular and morphological characterization of third instar Palaearctic horse stomach bot fly larvae (Oestridae: Gasterophilinae, Gasterophilus). Vet Parasitol 2018; 262:56-74. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2018.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2018] [Revised: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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Zhang B, Huang H, Wang H, Zhang D, Chu H, Ma X, Ge Y, Ente M, Li K. Genetic diversity of common Gasterophilus spp. from distinct habitats in China. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:474. [PMID: 30134994 PMCID: PMC6106871 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3042-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Gasterophilus species are widely distributed around the world. The larvae of these flies parasitize the digestive tract of equids and cause damage, hindering horse breeding and protection of endangered species. However, study of the genetic structure of geographically distinct Gasterophilus populations is lacking. Here, we analyzed the genetic diversity of Gasterophilus pecorum, G. intestinalis, G. nasalis and G. nigricornis from three typical grasslands (meadow, desert and alpine steppes) in China as compared to published sequences from Italy, Poland and China (Daqing and Yili), based on the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase cox1 and cox2 gene sequences. Results Haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity of mitochondrial genes was generally high in all Gasterophilus populations. Due to the unique natural climatic conditions of the alpine steppe, there were high levels of genetic differentiation among different geographical populations of G. pecorum and G. nasalis, indicating that environmental variations influenced population genetic structure. Frequent exchanges between meadow and desert steppe Gasterophilus species resulted in low genetic differentiation. The highest exchange rates were found among G. intestinalis populations. Genetic differentiation was only observed on a large geographical scale, which was confirmed by analyzing population genetic structure. Three species, G. pecorum, G. intestinalis and G. nasalis, from meadow steppe showed a high emigration rate, indicating that the direction of Gasterophilus dispersal in China was from east to west. Conclusions Our results show that the four Gasterophilus species have a high level of genetic diversity and different degrees of genetic differentiation and gene flow among different populations of the same species, reflecting their potential to adapt to the environment and the environmental impact on genetic structure. Knowledge of the genetic structure, population history, and migration will help understand the occurrence and prevalence of gasterophilosis and provide a basis for controlling the local spread of Gasterophilus spp. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-018-3042-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boru Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Non-Invasive Research Technology for Endangered Species, College of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.,Qinhuangdao Forestry Bureau, Qinhuangdao, 066004, Hebei, China
| | - Heqing Huang
- Key Laboratory of Non-Invasive Research Technology for Endangered Species, College of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Haoyu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Non-Invasive Research Technology for Endangered Species, College of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Dong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Non-Invasive Research Technology for Endangered Species, College of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Hongjun Chu
- Wildlife Conservation Office of Altay Prefecture, Altay, 836599, Xinjiang, China
| | - Xinping Ma
- Xinjiang Research Centre for Breeding Przewalski's Horse, Urumqi, 831700, Xinjiang, China
| | - Yan Ge
- Wildlife Conservation Office of Altay Prefecture, Altay, 836599, Xinjiang, China
| | - Make Ente
- Xinjiang Research Centre for Breeding Przewalski's Horse, Urumqi, 831700, Xinjiang, China
| | - Kai Li
- Key Laboratory of Non-Invasive Research Technology for Endangered Species, College of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.
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Cavallero S, Pombi M, Perrone V, Milardi GL, D'Amelio S, Giuliani C, Gabrielli S. Gasterophilus intestinalis (Diptera: Oestridae) in the diaphragmatic muscle: An unusual finding. Vet Parasitol 2017; 237:117-121. [PMID: 28274493 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.02.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2016] [Revised: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Larval forms of the bot-fly Gasterophilus are obligate parasites commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract of equids, causing intestinal myiasis. Five species are reported so far in Italy, mostly observed during necroscopy, located in different portion of gastrointestinal tract of equids: G. intestinalis, G. nasalis, G. inermis, G. pecorum and G. haemorrhoidalis. An unusual finding of larval Gasterophilus intestinalis deeply inserted into the diaphragmatic muscle is here reported. Due to the uncommon localization, to the absence of clinical signs related to myiasis and subsequent uncertainty of species identity, identification was performed using an integrative taxonomical approach combining morphology with molecular tools for confirmatory reasons. This finding adds information on migration patterns of erratic larval forms in G. intestinalis, a feature of interest as gasterophiliasis is among the less studied intestinal myiasis of horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Cavallero
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
| | - Marco Pombi
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Stefano D'Amelio
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Giuliani
- Responsabile benessere degli animali al macello - Centro Carni Comune di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Gabrielli
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
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