Spatial distribution on pasture of infective larvae of the gastro-intestinal nematode parasites of sheep

Abstract

Boag B., Topham P.B. and Webster R. 1989. Spatial distribution on pasture of infective larvae of the gastro-intestinal nematode parasites of sheep. International Journal for Parasitology 19: 681–685. The horizontal distributions of infective larvae on pasture grazed by sheep have been investigated. Using Taylor's Power Law it was found that larvae had a more aggregated distribution in September than August, the Law index of aggregation being 1.97 and 1.89 for the 2 months, respectively. However, at each time the degree of aggregation remained fairly constant for a range of spacings between points from 5 to 30 m. These results suggest that Taylor's Power Law could be used as a basis for devising an efficient pasture sampling strategy. More data are required, however, to determine the extent to which aggregation of the larvae varies with time of the year.