Association between Pelodera strongyloides (Nematoda: Rhabditidae) and wood mice, Apodemus sylvaticus

Abstract

SUMMARYPelodera strongyloides larvae were found in the conjunctival sacs of Apodemus sylvaticus and Clethrionomys glareolus and in hair follicles of A. sylvaticus. Those in the eyes were 3rd-stage larvae while most of those in the dermis were early 4th stages. There was no evidence of pathology and sections of the skin showed that the nematodes were well-tolerated by the mice. Nematodes emerged from the skin of freshly killed mice and moulted once to the adult stage in 1–2 days at 15 °C. The stimulus to resume development appeared to be a reduction in temperature rather than presence of bacterial food or reduction in osmotic pressure. Countless generations ensued on nutrient agar provided the nematodes were periodically sub-cultured onto fresh agar. Nematodes from the eyes died in culture. Dauerlarvae of P. strongyloides were produced in exhausted cultures. They resumed development on fresh agar but not in distilled water. About half could be induced to exsheath by a temperature similar to that of mouse skin. A. sylvaticus probably accumulates nematode larvae in the dermis during its life and the nematodes resume development when the host dies.