Question:
‘Pilobolus’ fungus helps in the translation of which of the following lungworms to herbage:
‘Pilobolus’ fungus helps in the translation of which of the following lungworms to herbage:
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The explosive discharge of Pilobolus sporangia is a classic textbook example of mutualism/phoresy. It is specific to the genus Dictyocaulus (both D. viviparous in cattle and D. filaria in sheep).
Updated On: Aug 13, 2026
- Muellerius capillaris
- Dictyocaulus viviparous
- Metastrongylus spp.
- Protostrongylus spp.
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Translation refers to the process by which infective helminth larvae move from livestock feces onto the surrounding pasture herbage where they can be consumed by grazing animals.
For several slow-moving nematode larvae, mechanical dispersal mechanisms are essential to escape the desiccating feces.
An elegant biological relationship exists between certain lungworms and the coprophilous fungus Pilobolus.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us review the lungworm species and their dispersal mechanisms:
1. Dictyocaulus viviparous:
This is the highly pathogenic lungworm of cattle, causing dictyocaulosis ("husk" or "hoose").
The L1 larvae are passed in host feces and develop into infective L3 larvae on the fecal pat.
Unlike many gastrointestinal nematodes, L3 larvae of Dictyocaulus are sluggish and poor climbers.
They cannot migrate far from the fecal pat on their own.
To overcome this, they climb up the sporangiophores of the fungus Pilobolus growing on the manure.
When the fungal sporangium ruptures explosively due to built-up hydrostatic pressure, it shoots spores and L3 larvae up to $3\text{ meters}$ away onto clean pasture.
This dispersion represents a critical step in the translation of Dictyocaulus viviparous to herbage.
2. Muellerius capillaris and Protostrongylus spp.:
These are indirect lungworms of sheep and goats.
They require terrestrial snails or slugs as intermediate hosts to complete their development.
Therefore, they do not rely on direct sporangial discharge mechanisms for translation.
3. Metastrongylus spp.:
This is the lungworm of swine.
Its life cycle is indirect and requires earthworms as intermediate hosts.
Thus, it does not utilize Pilobolus for dispersal.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The coprophilous fungus Pilobolus is responsible for the mechanical dispersal of Dictyocaulus viviparous larvae onto the surrounding herbage.
Therefore, the correct answer is option (B).
Translation refers to the process by which infective helminth larvae move from livestock feces onto the surrounding pasture herbage where they can be consumed by grazing animals.
For several slow-moving nematode larvae, mechanical dispersal mechanisms are essential to escape the desiccating feces.
An elegant biological relationship exists between certain lungworms and the coprophilous fungus Pilobolus.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us review the lungworm species and their dispersal mechanisms:
1. Dictyocaulus viviparous:
This is the highly pathogenic lungworm of cattle, causing dictyocaulosis ("husk" or "hoose").
The L1 larvae are passed in host feces and develop into infective L3 larvae on the fecal pat.
Unlike many gastrointestinal nematodes, L3 larvae of Dictyocaulus are sluggish and poor climbers.
They cannot migrate far from the fecal pat on their own.
To overcome this, they climb up the sporangiophores of the fungus Pilobolus growing on the manure.
When the fungal sporangium ruptures explosively due to built-up hydrostatic pressure, it shoots spores and L3 larvae up to $3\text{ meters}$ away onto clean pasture.
This dispersion represents a critical step in the translation of Dictyocaulus viviparous to herbage.
2. Muellerius capillaris and Protostrongylus spp.:
These are indirect lungworms of sheep and goats.
They require terrestrial snails or slugs as intermediate hosts to complete their development.
Therefore, they do not rely on direct sporangial discharge mechanisms for translation.
3. Metastrongylus spp.:
This is the lungworm of swine.
Its life cycle is indirect and requires earthworms as intermediate hosts.
Thus, it does not utilize Pilobolus for dispersal.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The coprophilous fungus Pilobolus is responsible for the mechanical dispersal of Dictyocaulus viviparous larvae onto the surrounding herbage.
Therefore, the correct answer is option (B).
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