Assessment of Epizootiological Value of Fleas (Insecta, Siphonaptera) in the Phenomenon of Seasonal Plague Manifestations in the Steppe Natural Plague Foci of Souslik Type in the Northern, North-Western Pre-Caspian and Pre-Caucasus Regions

Abstract

of animals. The phenomenon of seasonality and micro-focality of plague manifestations is demonstrated to be associated primarily with plague microbe transfer in the organism of fleas at different stages of their metamorphosis, by the representatives of soil biota (parasitic nematodes and protozoa), at the sites with edaphic factors (humidity, availability of organic substances, etc.) most favorable for preservation and maintenance of plague agent.