MONITORING OF HELMINTH FAUNA OF SMALL RODENTS LIVING ON THE BANKS OF MELIORATIVE CHANNELS IN MIXED FOREST OF BELORUSSIAN POLESIE

Abstract

The monitoring results of the helminth fauna of small rodents living on meliorative channel banks in the mixed forests of Western Belarusian Polesie (Brest Polesie) in 2015-2016 are presented. One hundred and seventeen specimens of three rodent species are caught. 72.3 % of red-backed voles and 60.0 % of yellow-necked mice are found infected by helminths. Seventeen helminth species (2 species of trematodes, 7 species of cestodes, 8 species of nematodes) are found. Twelve species of helminths are localized in red-backed voles, and nine species of helminths in yellow-necked mice. The nematode Heligmosomum mixtum Schulz, 1954 dominates in the infestation of red-backed voles, while the cestode Skrjabinotaenia lobata (Baer, 1925) and the nematode Syphacia frederici Roman, 1945 dominates in the infestation of yellow-necked mice. Four species of helminths identified in rodents are of medical and veterinary significance.