Helminth Contamination of the American Mink in the Urbanized Territories of the Vyatka-Kama Interfluves

Abstract

On the territory of the Vyatka-Kama interfluve within the Kirov region in the 2011–2017, method of complete helminthological autopsies investigated 39 individuals of American mink urbanized territories. The study of trichinosis was conducted with the help of the compressor method. The calculation of extensiveness, the intensity of invasion and abundance index was carried out.The infection extensity with helminths of the American mink is 92,3%. Helminth fauna is represented by seven species from two classes: Trematoda and Nematoda. Four species of helminthes were found in females: Alaria alata (larvae), Eupariphium melis, Capillaria putorii, Capillaria mucronata. The intensity of infection A. putoriiand I. melis significantly exceeds in males than in females (t = 5,1, P ≥ 0.999 and t = 2,3, P ≥ 0,95). The intensity of infection with helminths is significantly exceeded in young American mink than of adults (t = 2,4, P ≥ 0,95 и t = 2,5, P ≥ 0,95).The first place in terms of occurrence is Capillaria putorii. It is found in most in-fected minks (71.8%). It is localized mainly in the stomach. If the stomach is empty, the nematode is localized in its mucosa. Sometimes they are recorded in the intes-tines. This nematode also ranks first in the intensity of invasion: the average number of C. putorii in all infected animals was 102 copies, and the maximum – 493 copies. C. putorii has the highest abundance index (73.2 ind.) and dominates the parasite of the American mink transformed areas. Eupariphium melis is the only trematode recorded in the adult stage of the American mink in urban biocenoses. The extensive invasion was 56.4%. The intensity of invasion – 11 (1–40) copies.