Predatory effect of Duddingtonia flagrans on infective larvae of gastro-intestinal parasites under sunny and shaded conditions

• Published in: Experimental parasitology Vol. 193; pp. 27 - 32
• Main Authors: Bilotto, Franco, Fusé, Luis Alberto, Sagües, María Federica, Iglesias, Lucía Emilia, Fernández, Alicia Silvina, Zegbi, Sara, Guerrero, Inés, Saumell, Carlos Alfredo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.10.2018
• Subjects: Biological control; Duddingtonia flagrans; Environmental conditions; Gastro-intestinal parasites; Nematophagous fungi; Nematophagous fungi; Gastro-intestinal parasites; Biological control; L3; D. flagrans; GP; Environmental conditions; FMU; SHC; L3.kg DM−1; Duddingtonia flagrans; SC; UG; TG; EPG
• ISSN: 0014-4894; 1090-2449
• DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2018.07.016

Duddingtonia flagrans is a natural strain of Nematophagous-Fungi isolated around the world. It has demonstrated efficacy and ease of use in laboratory as well as in field conditions. The fungus contributes to the prophylactic control of the worms by reducing the number of L3 on pasture. The aims of this study were to test and analyze the predatory effect of D. flagrans under sunny and shaded conditions on the L3 in the faeces, and to verify the reduction of translation to pasture during summer and winter seasons. Faecal Mass Units (FMUs) were assigned to two treated groups (groups treated with D. flagrans chlamydospores, TG) and two untreated groups (without D. flagrans chlamydospores, UG), in summer and winter, under sunny and shaded conditions. FMUs and herbage samples were taken for parasitological workup. Predatory activity of D. flagrans was evident under both conditions for the summer experiment but was not manifest for the winter experiment. In summer, an interaction between sunny and shaded conditions and predatory activity of D. flagrans was found. Environmental conditions on predatory activity should be considered when designing strategies for the implementation of D. flagrans in grazing systems to smooth the infectivity curve of L3. [Display omitted] •The aim was to test Duddingtonia flagrans under different environmental conditions.•Predatory activity of Duddingtonia flagrans was evident in summer.•Predatory activity of Duddingtonia flagrans was not manifest in winter.•Predatory activity of D. flagrans was affected by the environment conditions.