"Strongylus gigas" is a species of strongylid nematode worm that parasitizes equine. The spelling of this word can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) phonetic transcription. The first word, "Strongylus," is pronounced /strɒŋɡɪləs/ with stress on the second syllable. The second word, "gigas," is pronounced /ˈɡaɪɡəs/ with stress on the first syllable. The phonetic transcription helps to accurately convey the pronunciation of the word and avoid confusion or misinterpretation.
Strongylus gigas is a parasitic nematode worm belonging to the Strongylidae family. It is commonly known as the giant strongyle or large strongyle and is primarily found in the large intestine of horses, but it can also infect other equids like donkeys and zebras. It is one of the most significant species of strongyles that infest horses worldwide.
Measuring around 3 to 4 centimeters in length, Strongylus gigas has a robust body covered with a protective cuticle. It possesses a cylindrical shape with a tapering anterior part and a rounded posterior end. Adults of this species have a well-developed buccal capsule, which enables them to attach to the intestinal walls and feed on host blood.
The lifecycle of Strongylus gigas involves an indirect transmission method. After the female worm lays eggs in the horse's intestine, they are expelled with the feces onto pastureland. The eggs then develop into larvae within the environment, where they can survive for several weeks to months. Horses acquire the infection by ingesting the infective larvae while grazing.
Infestation by Strongylus gigas can cause numerous health issues in horses, including diarrhea, weight loss, colic, anemia, and general malaise. If left untreated, severe infections can lead to serious complications like intestinal blockage or rupture, which may result in the horse's death.
Prevention and control strategies for Strongylus gigas infestations involve maintaining good pasture management, implementing proper deworming protocols, and practicing good hygiene measures. Regular fecal testing and targeted anthelmintic treatments are essential in managing and reducing the impact of strongyle infections in horses.
Eustrongylus gigas.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "Strongylus gigas" is a scientific name used to refer to a particular species. The etymology of the term can be broken down into its individual components:
1. "Strongylus": The word Strongylus is derived from the Greek word "strongylos" (στρογγυλός), which means "round" or "cylindrical". It is used in the context of the scientific classification system to refer to a particular genus of parasitic roundworms.
2. "gigas": Gigas is a Latin word borrowed from Greek and means "giant" or "huge". This term is used to indicate the large size of the specific species being referred to.
Therefore, "Strongylus gigas" can be understood as a species of roundworms that are characterized by their large or giant size.