Identification of Strongyles species

strongyles:

·         Members of this genus live in the large intestine of horses and donkeys and, with Triodontophorus, are commonly known as the large strongyles.

Species	Hosts	Location	Distribution
Strongylus vulgaris S. edentatus S. equinus	Horses and donkeys	Caecum and colon	Worldwide

Identification:

Gross:

·         Robust dark red worms which are easily seen against the intestinal mucosa.

·         The well developed buccal cap­sule of the adult parasite is prominent as is the bursa of the male.

Microscopic:

·         Species differentiation is based on size and the pres­ence and shape of the teeth in the base of the buccal capsule.

Species	Length	Identification
Strongylus vulgaris	1.5-2.5cm	Two ear-shaped rounded teeth
S. edentates	2.5-4.5 cm	No teeth
S. equines	2.5-5.0cm	Three conical teeth. One is situated dorsally and is larger than the others and bifid

	Fig: S. vulgaris		Fig: S. edentatus;		Fig: S. equinus