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Vol 59, No 4 (2025)
Articles
PARASITES OF ABRAMIS BRAMA L., 1758 IN LAKE SYAMOZERO (KARELIA, NORTHWEST RUSSIA): A STEP FORWARD IN LONG-TERM MONITORING
Abstract
The paper presents data on the diversity of parasites in the common bream, Abramis brama, from Lake Syamozero. The parasite fauna of the bream was found to comprise 30 species of the classes Oligohymenophorea, Myxozoa, Copepoda, Cestoda, Monogenea, Trematoda, and Chromadorea. The classes with the most diverse species composition were Myxozoa (9 species), Monogenea (7), and Trematoda (6). Myxosporidia Myxobolus dogieli and M. impressus were novel findings for bream from Lake Syamozero. A cyst of myxosporridians Myxobolus sp. was found in the vitreous body of the bream eye. The morphology of the parasites did not coincide with known species parasitizing fish eyes. Measurements and a photo of this newly found parasites are provided. Occurrence of the trematode species Ichthyocotylurus platycephalus was verified using the cox1 gene marker. Evidence was gathered confirming a 20-year-long rising trend in the infection of breams by parasites whose life cycle includes benthic hosts.
Parasitology. 2025;59(4):267-280
267-280
SAND FLIES OF THE CRIMEAN PENINSULA
Abstract
The Crimean Peninsula is characterized by favorable climatic and landscape conditions for sand flies breeding, which are vectors of natural focal infections, such as Pappatachi fever and visceral leishmaniasis. These insects play a key role in the formation of natural and anthropogenic foci of vector–borne diseases in Europe and the Mediterranean. From 2014 to 2024, six cases of visceral leishmaniasis associated with Leishmania infantum in Crimea were recorded. However, the diagnosis of "local" sand flies fevers has not been recorded since 1970s. Scientific research on sand fly fauna on the peninsula started in 1932 and peaked in the 1950s and 1960s. Before the start of the extermination measures, seven sand flies species were recorded from Crimea, only five of which are found nowadays. From 1949 to 2005 the Crimean Republican Sanitary and Epidemiological Station conducted annual monitoring of sand flies populations, but these data were not properly taken into account in subsequent studies. The research objective study is to systematize and summarize previously unpublished data on sand fly fauna of the Crimean Peninsula collected by the Crimean Republican Sanitary and Epidemiological Station as well as to assess the current state of this group.
Parasitology. 2025;59(4):281-295
281-295
MYIASIS OF ANIMALS IN STEPPE LANDSCAPES OF THE SOUTHERN CIS-URALS
Abstract
Myases studies were conducted in the steppe landscapes of the Belyaevsky district of the Orenburg Province at the Orenburg Tarpania scientific station in 2020–2024. Wound myases were observed in Przewalski's horses, sheep, dogs, cattle and poultry. Intestinal myases were noted in Przewalski's and kiang horses. The sources of wound myiasis were probably flies of the Calliphoridae or Sarcophagidae families, which are typical in the Orenburg region. The causative agents of gasterophilia were G. intestinalis (De Geer, 1776) and G. nasalis (Linnaeus, 1758). G. intestinalis was the most common species. The intensity of invasion fluctuated over five years; the extensiveness of invasion was 100%.
Parasitology. 2025;59(4):296-310
296-310
SPECIES DIVERSITY OF ENDOBIOIC CILIATES IN THE DIGESTIVE TRACT OF VARIOUS ODD-TOED UNGULATES FROM ZOOS
Abstract
The species diversity of ciliates, endobionts of the digestive tract of the white rhinoceros Ceratotherium simum, the South American tapir Tapirus terrestris and various equines from zoos in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Rostov-on-Don, was studied. A comparative analysis of communities of ciliates – endobionts of equines from natural and artificial habitats, including zoos and biosphere reserves, was carried out. It has been shown that in zoos a decrease in the species diversity of endobiotic ciliates is often observed. The communities are practically devoid of bacteriophagous ciliates – representatives of the Buetschliidae family, as well as ciliates specific to individual host species. Presumably, such changes in species composition may be associated with antimicrobial treatments of animals, changes in their diet, and the lack of contact between individuals.
Parasitology. 2025;59(4):311-324
311-324
NEW RECORDS OF RARE TICK SPECIES (ACARI, IXODIDAE) FROM THE SOUTH OF RUSSIA
Abstract
The article describes findings of rare and poorly studied hard tick species from the mountainous regions of southern Russia. New data on topical and trophic relationships, seasonality of parasitism and distribution are provided. Rare findings and poor degree of study of these species are explained by peculiarities of their stationary distribution and host association. Most of them are species of the genus Ixodes, specific parasites of birds and bats.
Parasitology. 2025;59(4):325-336
325-336