Overview of Helminths in Land Vertebrates from the Mordovia Nature Reserve, European Russia

Abstract

In this study, we summarized our own and literature data on the helminth fauna in amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals inhabiting the Mordovia Nature Reserve (European Russia). The history of research on parasitic worms in vertebrates has more than 70 years here. Nowadays, 242 species of helminths have been identified in vertebrates in this protected area: 54 cestodes, 87 trematodes, 98 nematodes, and 3 acanthocephalans. Of these, 169 helminth species have an indirect life cycle, while 73 develop directly. 217 revealed parasite species use vertebrates as definitive hosts and 21 as intermediate and/or parathenic hosts. Three species of trematodes, Gorgoderina vitelliloba, Haplometra cylindracea, and Opisthioglyphe ranae combine the larval and mature lifestyle stages in amphibians. The most diverse helminth fauna is in rodents (41 species), birds (38), artiodactyls (37), and insectivores (35). Less rich in amphibians (32), bats (32), reptiles (26), and carnivores (19). Only six parasite species are found in hares. Most of the helminth species recorded in the vertebrates of the Mordovia Nature Reserve belong to the Palearctic faunistic complex – 107 species. Fifty-eight species are cosmopolitan. The range of 39 species covers the Holarctic. The distribution of 37 species of helminths is limited to Europe. Seventy-three of 242 species found in the nature reserve’s vertebrates have medical and veterinary importance as potential pathogens of dangerous zoonoses.

Keywords

• parasitic worms, vertebrate animals, helminth biodiversity, mordovia nature reserve