Gastrointestinal Helminths of a European Moose Population in Poland

Abstract

Parasitic infections have a negative impact on the fecundity and survival of wild ruminants, particularly moose; however, despite being more susceptible to parasitic diseases than other wild cervids, they remain poorly examined in this regard. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to identify gastrointestinal and liver helminth species of the moose population in central Europe, assess the factors contributing to infection intensities and examine their impact on moose health. Abomasum, small intestine, caecum and liver samples were collected from 46 moose in Poland and evaluated for helminth parasite fauna and histopathological changes. Additionally, 289 moose fecal samples were analyzed for the presence of eggs, oocysts and larvae of parasites. In total, 19 parasite taxa were identified. The most prevalent were Mazamastrongylus dagestanica and Ostertagia antipini, which are typical nematodes of moose, together with Spiculopteragia boehmi and O. leptospicularis, characteristic also of other cervids. Parasite species diversity and abomasal parasitic infection intensity were higher in adult moose than in yearlings and calves. The numbers of histopathological lesions depended on the intensity of parasitic infections, and were most severe in the livers of moose infected with Parafasciolopsis fasciolaemorpha. The analysis of fecal samples revealed several regional differences in the levels of parasite eggs, oocysts and larvae shedding. Our findings indicate an accumulation of parasite infections over time in moose, which may be related to high environmental parasite pressure, possibly connected with high moose density and the presence of wetlands; they also serve as the most comprehensive study of moose parasites in central Europe to date.

Exchanged communities of abomasal nematodes in cervids with a first report on Mazamastrongylus dagestanica in red deer

“…Spiculopteragia boehmi , O. leptospicularis and their minor morphs ( S. mathevossiani and O. kolchida , respectively) are regarded as generalists with a wide host range, as are H. contortus , A. sidemi , T. axei and T. vitrinus ( 7 , 12 , 29 , 30 ). In addition, specialist species were also identified, including the moose GINs Mazamastrongylus dagestanica and O. antipini ( 15 ), the fallow deer GIN S. asymmetrica ( 20 ), the small ruminant nematode T. capricola ( 18 ), and the cattle parasite O. lyrata , a minor morph of O. ostertagi ( 10 ). Interestingly, our findings suggest that M. dagestanica has expanded its host range to red deer, as this is the first report of the nematode in the host.…”

CIRCULATION FEATURES OF Parafasciolopsis fasciolaemorpha (Ejsmont, 1932) ON THE TERRITORY OF THE VYATKA PRIKAMIE UNDER WEATHER ANOMALIES

“…Среди представителей оленевых Cervidae к трематодозным заболеваниям особенно восприимчив лось Alces alces L., 1758 (3,4), имеющий в гельминтофауне видоспецифического паразита Parafasciolopsis fasciolaemorpha Ejsmont, 1932. Диксенный цикл развития трематоды включает промежуточного хозяина -водного моллюска Planorbаrius corneus (L., 1758).…”

“…Однако в указанных работах отсутствуют статически значимые корреляционные данные о зависимости инвазированности дефинитивного хозяина от метеофакторов. В пойме р. Чепца (бассейн р. Вятка) регистрируется стабильный очаг парафасциолопсоза, где P. fasciolaemorpha представляет ядро гельминтоценоза лося, доминируя по частоте встречаемости и численности (4,18). Регулярные наблюдения в бассейне р. Вятка мы проводим с 2009 года, но полученные ранее сведения были отрывочными и не носили системного характера по пространственно-временным параметрам.…”

ОСОБЕННОСТИ ЦИРКУЛЯЦИИ Parafasciolopsis fasciolaemorpha (Ejsmont, 1932) НА ТЕРРИТОРИИ ВЯТСКОГО ПРИКАМЬЯ В УСЛОВИЯХ ПОГОДНЫХ АНОМАЛИЙ

“…Among representatives of the deer Cervidae, the elk Alces alces L., 1758 [3,4] which has a species-specific parasite in its helminth fauna Parafasciolopsis fasciolaemorpha Ejsmont, 1932, is especially susceptible to trematode diseases. The dixenic development cycle of the trematode includes an intermediate host, the aquatic mollusk Planorbarius corneus (L., 1758).…”

“…However, in these works there are no statically significant correlation data on the dependence of the infestation of the definitive host on meteorological factors. In the floodplain of the river Cheptsa (Vyatka River basin) a stable focus of parafasciolopsosis is recorded where P. fasciolaemorpha represents the core of the elk helminthocenosis, dominating in frequency of occurrence and abundance [4,18]. Regular observations in the river basin.…”