Syngamus trachea

Syngamus trachea
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Nematoda
Class	Secernentea
Order	Strongylida
Super-family	Strongyloidea
Family	Syngamidae
Genus	Syngamus
Species	S. trachea

Also known as: Syngamus parvis — Syngamus gracilis — Gapeworm

Introduction

S. trachea is a nematode of the superfamily Strongyloidea, and are found worldwide. It commonly affects the lungs of many game birds within the UK.

Hosts

Chickens, turkeys, pigeons and game birds.

Identification

The female is deep red in colour, and the male is white. They are permanently copulating forming a Y shape. The worms have large buccal capsules.

Life Cycle

L1-L3 develops in the egg. Infection may be via ingestion of L3 in the egg, or a hatched L3, or ingestion of a paratenic host, most commonly the earthworm.

The L3 then penetrate the intestine, and enter the lungs. The L3 then undergo 2 further moults, and copulation occurs in the trachea a few days later.

The prepatent period of S. trachea is between 16 and 20 days.

Literature Search

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Syngamus trachea publications