Parasitofauna of Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) in the Protected Landscape Area CHKO — Poľana

Abstract

During the years 2015-2016 we obtained 15 samples of faeces of brown bears (Ursus arctos) and 2 samples of gastrointestinal (GI) tracts of young female brown bears for helminthological examinations. The samples of faeces were collected from various sites in the protected landscape area CHKO-Poľana, and the gastrointestinal tracts originated from bears hunted down in the same area within permitted regulation of bear population for 2015. Of the 17 samples collected from the CHKO-Poľana area, 13 were positive for the presence of parasites (76.47 %). Parasitological examinations revealed the presence of 5 species of endoparasites: Eimeria, Cryptosporidium, Sarcocystis, Baylisascaris and Ancylostoma. Roundworms Baylisascaris transfuga (46.15 %) and Ancylostoma spp. (30.77 %) were the dominant species. Observation of the seasonal dynamics showed the highest prevalence of parasites during autumn and winter.Genus/Species Prevalence Cryptosporidium 15.38 % Eimeria 7.69 % Sarcocystis 15.38 % Ancylostoma 30.77 % Baylisascaris transfuga 46.15 %

Seasonal Pattern of Prevalence and Excretion of Eggs of Baylisascaris transfuga in the Brown Bear (Ursus arctos)

“…The prevalence of baylisascariasis in brown bears during the three years of our study was highest in autumn. Our findings are consistent with most studies that have investigated the seasonal dynamics of B. transfuga in bears [ 38 , 40 ]. These studies found that the prevalence was highest in autumn or winter and lowest in spring.…”

“…Similar results were reported by Major et al [ 38 ] in their coprological study, who also observed that the prevalence of B. transfuga was highest in autumn and winter and lowest in spring, which corresponds to the results of our study. Several studies have confirmed the occurrence of parasites in bears during the winter, when bears should hibernate [ 36 , 38 , 40 ].…”

“…Little information is available on the prevalence of B. transfuga in populations of wild brown bears in Europe [ 1 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 ]. Only a few of these studies have attempted to evaluate the seasonal dynamics of this nematode.…”

“…These studies found that the prevalence was highest in autumn or winter and lowest in spring. Orosová et al [ 40 ], however, found that the prevalence of Baylisascaris was highest in autumn (85.71%) and early winter (100%). Similar results were reported by Major et al [ 38 ] in their coprological study, who also observed that the prevalence of B. transfuga was highest in autumn and winter and lowest in spring, which corresponds to the results of our study.…”

“…Most information about the prevalence of B. transfuga in populations of wild bears has been from the American, Canadian, and Russian populations of black, brown, grizzly, and polar bears, respectively [ 14 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. Information about the prevalence of B. transfuga in populations of wild brown bears in Europe is limited [ 1 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ], and little is known about the seasonal dynamics of B. transfuga in these populations [ 36 , 37 , 38 , 40 ]. The seasonal dynamics of B. transfuga in wild carnivores can also be influenced by external factors such as temperature, humidity, and rainfall.…”