The peculiarities of helminthofauna of seabirds on offshore water of the Barents Sea

Abstract

The fauna of parasitic worms in two species of marine birds – northern fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) and kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) – from northern and western areas of offshore water of the Barents Sea is studied. Helminth fauna of these birds are characterized by insignificant species diversity and high values of intensity of infection. The most successful in biocenoses of the Barents Sea are realized life cycles of the helminths which include one or more paratenic hosts – nematodes from families Anisakidae and Streptocaridae and cestodes from the family Tetrabothriidae. It is shown influence of anthropogenic factor on the circulation of parasites in the region. Discharge of waste fishing contains a large number of helminth’s larva and actively used in the food by seabirds.

Keywords

• helminths
• fulmar
• kittiwake
• the life cycle
• peculiarities of infection