Helminth Infections of the Common Shrew (Mammalia, Soricidomorpha) on Reclaimed Areas
Helminth Infections of the Common Shrew (Mammalia, Soricidomorpha) on Reclaimed Areas
Vladimir Vasilievich Shimalov
ABSTRACT
The common shrew (Sorex araneus Linnaeus, 1758) inhabits of drainage channels banks on reclaimed areas, where a specific complex of helminths is formed. The aim of the study is to conduct a helminthological investigation of common shrews inhabiting on drainage channel banks on model reclamation systems in Brest Polesie (South-West Belarus), to establish the species composition of helminths and their infection of these animals under conditions of increased anthropogenic pressure on the channels associated with periodic mowing of their banks and slopes. Common shrews were caught with mousetraps lined up along drainage channel bank in mixed forests, on arable lands, pastures, and along roads in Brest, Zhabinka and Malorita districts of Brest region during 2015–2019. 4,000 trap-days were worked out. 127 common shrews were caught. Animals were examined by the method of complete helminthological dissections. The number of common shrews on drainage channel banks was 3.18 individuals per 100 trap-days. Infection with helminths was 98.4 %. 28 species of helminths were found (8 Trematoda, 10 Cestoda and 10 Nematoda). Cestodes Monocercus arionis (Siebold, 1850) and Neoskrjabinolepis singularis (Cholodkowsky, 1912) dominated the infection. The trematode Prosolecithus danubica Tkach et Bray, 1995 found in the common shrew is a new species of helminths in Belarus. The results of 2015–2019 study period also compared with data obtained in 1996–1999 (first study period) and 2005–2010 (second study period). A total 36 helminth species parasitize common shrews during three research periods.
To share on other social networks, click on any share button. What are these?
