Equine Cyathostomin L3 Larvae

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These are L3 larvae (infective stage) of the equine cyathostomin (gut parasite), often referred to as Small Redworm. - the most prevalent parasite of adult horses.

Unlike free-living nematodes these parasitic larvae develop a sheath at the L3 stage which protects them from desiccation before they are ingested and enables them to get to the preferred section of the herbivore's gut.

There are 42 known species of cyathostomin that are found in horses and they are very difficult to identify to species level but the number and arrangement of the gut sections in the L3 stage larvae can be used to narrow the choice down. On the second image I've "enhanced" the gut sections to show the arrangement.

These are a "Type A" cyathostomin species, they are around 0.8mm long excluding the tail. The larvae were extracted using the Baermann technique.

Dave





Gut sections enhanced

[Saul]

Impressive

[Sumguy01]

Very nice.
Thanks for sharing.

[Jacek]

Very nice
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https://photos.app.goo.gl/MV9IynUtBdaKkVj53

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Here's a picture that shows the whole thing, it was difficult to get as it was moving so stacking wasn't an option.

[WalterD]

Very interesting series, Dave; beautiful details and well captured/identified.
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www.waltermachielsen.com

[Olympusman]

Beauty!

Mike
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Michael Reese Much FRMS EMS Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA

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Thanks for the kind comments.

Dave

[blepharopsis]

They can infect me anytime... Beautiful worms, awesome images! Is that a long undulating fin on their backs??

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[grgh]

[KurtM]

Impressive pix, and excellent info, thanks! Are you a vet, or doing this for a vet, per chance? Be interesting to know what drove you to making such fine portraits of these wee villains (another old country boy here).
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Cheers,
Kurt Maurer
League City, Texas

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