The parasitic fauna of the European bison (Bison bonasus) (Linnaeus, 1758) and their impact on the conservation. Part 2 The structure and changes over time

During the last century the recorded parasite fauna of Bison bonasus includes 88 species. These are 22 species of protozoa, 4 trematode species, 4 cestode species, 43 nematode species, 7 mites, 4 Ixodidae ticks, 1 Mallophaga species, 1 Anoplura, and 2 Hippoboscidae flies. There are few monoxenous parasites, the majority of parasites are typical for other Bovidae and Cervidae species and many are newly acquired from Cervidae. This is an evident increased trend in the parasite species richness, in both the prevalence and intensity of infections, which is associated with the bison population size, host status (captive breeding or free-ranging) and the possibility of contact with other ruminant species. In light of the changes to parasite species richness during the last decades, special emphasis shall be given to new parasite species reported in European bison, their pathogenicity and potential implications for conservation.     

Gastrointestinal parasites of captive European bison Bison bonasus (L.) with a sign of reduced efficacy of Haemonchus contortus to fenbendazole

Parasitology Research - The history of European bison Bison bonasus Linnaeus, 1758 has been stormy since its extinction in the wild after the First World War. Due to the fact that the species was...     

Molecular analysis of lungworms from European bison (Bison bonasus) on the basis of small subunit ribosomal RNA gene (SSU)

Dictyocaulosis (Nematoda: Trichostrongyloidea) is a widespread parasitosis of the European bison (Bison bonasus) inhabiting Bialowieza Primeval Forest. Bearing in mind the current coexistence of bison with wild cervids, and with domestic ruminants in the 19^th and 20^th century, the need arose for molecular identification of lungworm species. Molecular analysis was done on adult lungworms that were obtained from the respiratory track of four free-roaming bison euthanized as a part of the population health control program. As the result of the study four identical small subunit-ribosomal RNA gene sequences from the lungworms were obtained and deposited in GenBank as sequence, 1708 bp long (GenBank KC771250). Comparative analysis of the SSU rRNA sequences revealed the European bison to be a host for the bovine lungworm Dictyocaulus viviparus.     

The helminth fauna study of European common brown frog (Rana temporaria Linnaeus, 1758) in the Volga basin

In this paper we considered information on the helminth fauna of the European common brown frog (Rana temporaria Linnaeus, 1758) from 10 regions of the Volga basin. This study includes consolidated data of different authors over the last 30 years, supplemented by the results of our own research. There are reliably known finds of 29 species of helminths: Monogenea — 1, Trematoda — 21, Nematoda — 7. Trematodes Gorgodera asiatica Pigulevsky, 1945, Paralepoderma cloacicola (Luhe, 1909), mtc. and nematodes Icosiella neglecta (Diesing, 1851) were observed for the first time in a given host on the territory of Russia and the Volga Basin. Six species of worms make the basis of helminth fauna: nematodes Rhabdias bufonis, Oswaldocruzia filiformis, Neoxysomatium brevicaudatum and Cosmocerca ornata, trematode Haplometra cylindracea and monogenea Polystoma integerrimum. These six species are the most common and widespread parasites of the brown frog. For each species of helminths there is the following information included: taxonomic position, localization, area of detection, biology, definitive hosts, geographic distribution, the degree of host-specificity.     

Helminth fauna of the stoat (Mustela erminea Linneaus, 1758) and the weasel (M. nivalis Linnaeus, 1758) in Belorussian Polesie

Helminthological examinations of 30 stoat and 31 weasel carcasses were carried out in Belorussian Polesie (southern part of Belarus, Brest and Gomel regions) between 1980 and 1999. The total rate of helminth infection of these animals was 78.7%. A total of 23 stoats and 25 weasels were infected by helminths. The animals were hosts for 20 species of helminths.     

Gross and microscopic pathological changes associated with parasitic infection in European eel (Anguilla anguilla, Linnaeus 1758)

The gross pathological and histopathological changes associated with parasitic infection in the European eel (Anguilla anguilla Linnaeus, 1758) was investigated. A total of 65 eels collected from three sampling localities in Eastern Delta, Egypt were examined over the period of January–May 2008. The fish were subjected to standard procedures for parasitological and pathological examinations. Overall, 22 (33.8%) of the 65 fish examined were found to have parasitic infections. The eels harbored a total of six parasite species; among them, the nematode Anguillicoloides crassus was the most prevalent species (10.7%), followed by the Monogenea Pseudodactylogyrus anguillae (7.7%) and Dactylogyrus species (6.1%), the ciliate Trichodinella epizootica (4.6%), the Myxozoa Myxidium giardi (3.1%), and the cestode Proteocephalus macrocephalus (1.5%). Affected fish showed varying levels of tissue damage and pathological alterations including mild to severe degenerative, necrotic, and inflammatory changes in the affected organs.     

Helminth fauna of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes Linnaeus, 1758) in southern Belarus

We examined 94 carcasses of and 1,213 faecal samples from red foxes collected between 1981 and 2001 in natural and transformed ecosystems in the southern part of Belarus. A total of 32 helminth species were found. Of these, the most common were Alaria alata, Pearsonema plica, Taenia crassiceps, Toxocara canis, Trichinella spp. larvae and Uncinaria stenocephala. All species are significant for medical and veterinary health.     

Helminth fauna of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes Linnaeus, 1758) in southern Belarus

We examined 94 carcasses of and 1,213 faecal samples from red foxes collected between 1981 and 2001 in natural and transformed ecosystems in the southern part of Belarus. A total of 32 helminth species were found. Of these, the most common were Alaria alata, Pearsonema plica, Taenia crassiceps, Toxocara canis, Trichinella spp. larvae and Uncinaria stenocephala. All species are significant for medical and veterinary health.     

Vertebromedullary Topography of the Red-Rumped Agouti (Dasyprocta leporina Linnaeus, 1758)

The agouti is a wild rodent located almost throughout the Brazilian territory, with great scientific importance and high reproductive potential when farmed. In the clinical routine, clinical and surgical procedures are performed on the nervous system of these animals, such as epidural anesthesia and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection; however, data available are limited in literature on the main points of these procedures in this species. In this aspect, the objective was to describe the vertebromedullary topography of the agouti in order to identify and quantify it, with the intention of expanding the information regarding the clinical-surgical procedures in this system. Ten animals were incised longitudinally in the dorsal median line, removing the skin, the musculature, and dorsal fascia of the vertebral column; then, removed the vertebral arches and consequent exposure of the spinal cord and meninges. The morphometry of the animals was done by obtaining the total length, body length, and crown-rump length, as well as the total length of the spinal cord and its segments. The cervical intumescence in the agouti is located between C4-T1 and measures 2.45 cm. The lumbar intumescence is between L5-L7 and is 2.52 cm long. The cauda equina arises from S2 and the filum terminale from S3. As for the medullary cone, it is located between L7-S1 and is 2.52 cm long. The suggested localization for epidural anesthesia or CSF puncture for laboratory tests in agoutis is the lumbosacral space, with the insertion of the needle to be carried out at angle of 90° in the sphinx position. Anat Rec, 303:1472–1477, 2020. © 2019 American Association for Anatomy     

Lernanthropus kroyeri (Van Beneden and Hesse 1851) parasitic Copepoda (Siphonostomatoidae, Lernanthropidae) of European cultured sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax (Linnaeus 1758) from Corsica: ecological and morphological study

Lernanthropus kroyeri (Copepoda, Siphonostomatoida: Lernanthropidae) is a gill parasite found on the European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax. During a survey of sea bass of Corsican fish farms, we studied the biology of this parasite under culture conditions. We first chose to conduct a scanning electron microscopic study to give additional information about the lifestyle of the parasite. Our examinations made it possible to reveal some unreported superficial structures including details not described previously. Specializations associated with the tegument, in particular, sensory structures and anchoring systems were studied to understand the mechanisms of survival and dispersal of the species. Patterns variation of parasites communities was examined by taking into account environmental factors, such as temperature or salinity, and physiological parameters related to host. The relation between parasites and location of fish was also studied to quantify the importance of site influence on parasite communities. Prevalence and abundances of the infections in different culture systems, fish stocks, and sampling seasons are given. L. kroyeri was significantly present during spring and summer, coinciding with a period of increasing temperature. Significant differences were found grouping data by host size, with higher infection levels in the larger-sized fish.     

Effect of photoperiod on blood parameters of young beluga sturgeon (Huso huso Linnaeus, 1758)

This study investigated the effect of manipulated photoperiod on haematological parameter in beluga sturgeon (Huso huso). One hundred eight fish (24-month old) were randomly allocated into 18 tanks. Each tank received one of six photoperiod regimes for 73 days: natural photoperiod, 24Light (L):0Dark (D), 16L:8D, 12L:12D, 8L:16D and 0L:24D. Different photoperiods had no significant effects on hormonal and cytological features of blood in young beluga sturgeon.     

Helminth infections of wild European gray wolves (Canis lupus Linnaeus, 1758) in Lower Saxony,Germany, and comparison to captive wolves

Parasitology Research - This study aimed to investigate the endoparasite fauna of wild European gray wolves, which are currently recolonizing Germany. In total, 69 fecal samples of wild wolves were...     

Gross anatomy of the male genital organs of the pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus, Linnaeus 1758)

To describe the macroscopic anatomy of the genital organs of the male pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus), organs from ten animals found dead in a captive breeding station were dissected. The unpigmented scrotum was located in the inguinal region near the body, and was covered by the thighs. In the investments of the testicles the dartos tunic was greatly developed. The cremaster muscle was located dorsocaudal to the testicle, and was divided caudally into three bundles of fibers. The right testicle was significantly heavier than the left, and there was a positive relationship between body weight and the weight of both testicles. The tail of the epididymis, ventrally located, had a caudal portion attached to the caudal extremity of the testicles by the proper ligament of the testicles, and a portion elongated free caudally located. The deferent duct was located caudomedially to the corresponding testicle. The accessory genital glands were the ampullary glands, vesicular glands, and a small pars disseminata of the prostate. The penis was fibroelastic, without sigmoid flexure, with a thick albuginea. The retractor penis muscle was very long, and ended in the distal part of the penis near the rudimentary glans. The general disposition of the male genital organs of the pampas deer were similar to that of other ruminants, with some differences, such as size and location of the testicles, the absence of the sigmoid flexure of the penis, and fewer accessory genital glands.