The transmission of Onchocerca tarsicola (Filarioidea: Onchocercidae) by Odagmia ornata and Prosimulium nigripes (Diptera: Simuliidae).
Onchocerca tarsicola is a subcutaneous filariid of the red deer living on the tendons of the radial-carpal and tibial-tarsal joints. Its microfilariae concentrate mainly in the external ears. The extrinsic cycle of this parasite was investigated. In a hyperendemic area wild-caught Odagmia ornata were dissected, as well as samples which had fed on a tame deer and been kept in the laboratory after the infecting blood-meal. About 3 to 5% of the flies were infected with larval stages of Onchocerca tarsicola. More than 40% of Odagmia ornata induced to feed on the ears of the deer became infected and about 30% of the flies which survived more than 18 days contained third-stage larvae. The larval development in the vector is described. Prosimulium nigripes appears to be a second natural vector of Onchocerca tarsicola. Observations concerning the potential vectors of O. flexuosa, O. tubingensis and Cutifilaria wenki living in red deer are discussed.
D000818:Animals; D002519:Ceratopogonidae / Q000469:parasitology; D003670:Deer / Q000469:parasitology*; D004175:Diptera / Q000469:parasitology*; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000469:parasitology; D008842:Microfilariae / Q000254:growth & development; D009854:Onchocerca / Q000254:growth & development*; D013909:Thorax / Q000469:parasitology; D013987:Ticks / Q000469:parasitology