Retrospective and prospective studies on helminthiases in bisons of Prioksko-Terrasny Nature Reserve (Moscow Region, Serpukhov District)

Abstract

Contemporary American bison (Bison bison (Linnaeus, 1758)) and European bison (Bison bonasus (Linnaeus, 1758)) are introduced (alien) species at the territory of Prioksko-Terrasny Nature Reserve. Presently, extensive interchange of parasitic fauna between the bisons and aboriginal ungulates is recorded, therefore, monitoring their helminth fauna appears to be a pressing issue. The current paper presents a survey of the helminth fauna in American bison and European bison based on the results of original research and literature data analysis. The investigation of faeces samples of American bisons from the nature reserve revealed eggs of Trichostrongylus sp. with length of 78.5 μm and width of 40 μm in size as well as those of Strongyloides papillosus (Wedl, 1856) with length of 60 and width of 20–22 μm in size. The eggs of Strongyloides papillosus in bisons from the nature reserve are recorded for the first time. It is supposed that the bisons contract this nematode species from sika deer (Cervus nippon Temminck, 1838), yet previously it was believed that deer and bisons are safe for each other in terms of helminthic infections. The study has shown the heterogenous composition of helminth fauna in contemporary American bison and European bison in different parts of their range, which appears to be connected with the circulation of helminthes among deers and bisons populating a particular area. The absence of highly specific, high-avid helminthes in the bisons has been found. How to cite this article: Panova O.A., Serdyuk N.V., Glamazdin I.G., Zemlyanko I.I. 2017. Retrospective and prospective studies on helminthiases in bisons of Prioksko-Terrasny Nature Reserve (Moscow Region, Serpukhov District) // Russian J. Theriol. Vol.16. No.2. P.149–156. doi: 10.15298/rusjtheriol.16.2.04