First report of molecular taxonomic analyses of European beaver metazoan parasites from Hungary

Abstract

European beaver (Castor fiber L. 1758) is the biggest rodent species living in Europe. Beavers are semi-aquatic animals; they are defecating directly into the water; thus, they have an important role in spreading parasites related to water (e.g., protozoa and flukes). The first specimens of this once extinct rodent species in Hungary turned up in Szigetköz (upper flow of the Hungarian Danube) in 1991 dispersed from Austria. The reintroduction to Hungary started in 1996, and the population slowly increased in number up to around 4000 individuals, but the knowledge about their parasites is lacking. This is the first report on the metazoan parasites of beavers in Hungary and their molecular taxonomy. In the 5-year study, 47 beavers were trapped in four locations and euthanized with permission. Three different metazoan parasites were collected: larvae and adults of Platypsyllus castoris beetles, nymphs and adults of Schizocarpus sp. mites and eggs and adults of Stichorchis subtriquetrus flukes. From these three parasite species, molecular taxonomic studies were also carried out. The low number of metazoan parasites species detected in Hungarian beavers compared to other European countries (e.g., Poland) might be attributed to host population bottleneck effect during reintroduction. As parasites represent a significant component of the biodiversity and ecosystem, the conservation efforts should focus not only on host species but also on their parasites.

A bibliometric literature review in beaver management: when does the beaver become a resource?

“…2022, Szekeres et al. 2022) and analyses of beaver deaths to assess population status (Stefen 2019, Lazár et al. 2023).…”

“…This category includes 19 documents referring to health screen procedure, analysis of parasites, and mortality. In particular, they report non-invasive analysis (O'Brien et al 2018, Benovics et al 2022, Szekeres et al 2022 and analyses of beaver deaths to assess population status (Stefen 2019, Lazár et al 2023). Moreover, Girling et al (2019b) carried out a disease risk analysis for the selection and health screening of Eurasian beavers before their release in Britain.…”