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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 2, 2026

Diagnosis of Ecto- and Endoparasites in Laboratory Rats and Mice

Diagnosis of Ecto- and Endoparasites in Laboratory Rats and Mice

Published on: September 6, 2011

VOLATILES IN FECES OF RATS INFECTED WITH THE TAPEWORM HYMENOLEPIS DIMINUTA.

Anne C Jones, Mason C Martin, Tappey H Jones

The Journal of Parasitology

|April 21, 2025

Summary

Feces from rats infected with the tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta contain specific volatile carboxylic acids, unlike uninfected rat feces. These identified compounds are key attractants for intermediate beetle hosts.

Keywords:

Hymenolepis diminuta Tenebrio Tribolium Butyrate Cyclophyllidea Hymenolepididae Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA)Tenebrionidae VOC Volatiles Volatilome

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Published on: January 17, 2025

Area of Science:

Parasitology
Chemical Ecology
Animal Behavior

Background:

Feces from rats infected with Hymenolepis diminuta are known to attract tenebrionid beetle intermediate hosts.
Previous research indicated volatile chemicals in infected feces were responsible, but these compounds remained unidentified.

Purpose of the Study:

To identify and compare volatile compounds in rat feces before and after Hymenolepis diminuta infection.
To elucidate the chemical basis for the increased attractiveness of infected rat feces to intermediate hosts.

Main Methods:

Fecal samples were collected from Sprague Dawley rats pre- and post-Hymenolepis diminuta infection.
Volatiles were trapped using vacuum adsorption onto a polymer.
Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was employed for volatile compound identification.

Main Results:

Limonene was detected in preinfection feces but absent postinfection.
Five distinct carboxylic acids (butanoic, 3-methylbutanoic, 2-methylbutanoic, pentanoic, and hexanoic acids) were identified exclusively in postinfection feces.
Butanoic acid was the most abundant carboxylic acid identified.

Conclusions:

This study successfully identified specific volatile carboxylic acids present in Hymenolepis diminuta-infected rat feces.
These findings represent the first report detailing the volatiles associated with H. diminuta infection in rats.
The identified carboxylic acids are likely responsible for the enhanced attractiveness of infected feces to intermediate beetle hosts.