FORMATION OF THE PARASITE FAUNA IN THE TURKMENIAN KULAN REACLIMATIZED IN KAZAKHSTAN

Abstract

Since 1953, Kazakhstan has been working on the acclimatization of the kulan. For the first time, two species of protozoa (Eimeria hemionus, Eimeria pinaevae) were recorded in the kulan 30 years ago. In the present work, three helminth species (Alfortia edentatus, Strongylus equinus, Strongyloides westeri) were identified in the kulan, which were not previously observed in it. Three fecal samples from kulans that were kept in the Ile-Balkhash State Nature Reserve were delivered to the parasitology laboratory. The material was processed according to the Fülleborn method. It is known that Eimeria have strict host specificity, that is, animals can only become infected with certain types of Eimeria. Perhaps during acclimatization, kulans could bring these parasites from the reserve of Turkmenistan. Helminths (Alfortia edentatus, Strongylus equinus) could infect kulans in a new habitat where they graze along with horses. At the same time, the living conditions are the same for both species of animals. Geohelminths Strongyloides westeri are able to reproduce outside the animal body. Infection occurs in an alimentary way. At the same time, kulans could become infected with them during their rest. It is probable that new species of parasites will be registered in kulans in the coming years.