Fincher G T
J Parasitol. 1975 Aug;61(4):759-62.
Parasitized steers were used to contaminate 3 pastures containing dung beetle populations of different densities. Six parasite-free calves were then allowed to graze the pastures for 43 to 45 days. Two calves that grazed a pasture with dung beetle population rendered lower than normal by screening and trapping acquired 9 times more parasites than 2 calves that grazed a pasture which captured beetles were released. Two calves that grazed a pasture with a natural dung beetle population acquired 4 times more worms than the calves on pasture with the increased beetle population. The results indicated that the 2 major genera of nematodes present (Ostertagia and Cooperia) were significantly reduced in number by dung beetle activity.
用感染寄生虫的公牛来污染3个含有不同密度蜣螂种群的牧场。然后让6头无寄生虫的小牛在这些牧场上放牧43至45天。在通过筛选和诱捕使蜣螂种群数量低于正常水平的牧场上放牧的2头小牛，其感染的寄生虫数量是在捕获的甲虫被释放的牧场上放牧的2头小牛的9倍。在有自然蜣螂种群的牧场上放牧的2头小牛，其感染的蠕虫数量是在蜣螂种群增加的牧场上放牧的小牛的4倍。结果表明，现存的两大线虫属（奥斯特他线虫属和古柏线虫属）的数量因蜣螂的活动而显著减少。
