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The role of coprophagous beetles in the dissemination of taeniasis in Kenya

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

M. J. Mutinga
Affiliation:
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi, Kenya
G. Madel
Affiliation:
Institute of Applied Zoology an der Immenburg 1, 53 Bonn, West Germany
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Abstract

Coprophagous beetles belonging to two genera, Onitis and Heliocopris, were collected and fed on proglotids and eggs of Taenia saginata. The beetles' faeces was collected after 24 hr onwards and examined for Taenia eggs. The flight range and behaviour of the beetles was investigated using cow rumen contents as bait for starved marked beetles. Results indicate that coprophagous beetles could play a role in dissemination of taeniasis.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1981

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References

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