Equine Cyathostomin L3 Larvae
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Equine Cyathostomin L3 Larvae
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
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
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blepharopsis wrote:They can infect me anytime... Beautiful worms, awesome images! Is that a long undulating fin on their backs??
Thanks!
The marked concertina effect is actually the outer sheath folding on the inside of the bends, you’ll notice it is smooth on the outside. I assume that this happens because it’s not elastic. When straight there is usually a little concertina on both sides. When they are dead they become completely straight.
Dave