Helminthological monitoring of introduced animals in the Steppe Research Station “Orenburg Tarpania”

Abstract

At the Steppe Research Station “Orenburg Tarpania” of the Institute of Steppe of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Orenburg region, Russia), we carried out work to study acclimatization of large ungulates of inhabiting arid ecosystems to the natural conditions of the South Ural steppe sub-region. The “Orenburg Tarpania” contains introduced animal species: Przewalski’s horse, kiangs, two-humped camels, domestic yaks and an indigenous breed of downy goats. The goal of the project is to return large phytophages to their natural steppe habitat. To prevent an increase in the infection of new populations with helminths to a clinically significant level and to study the adaptation to the existing territorial helminth-faunal complex, we monitor helminth infections of animals kept in the station and in the adjacent areas. Our survey revealed parasitism of nematodes of the suborder Strongylata (families Strongylidae and Trichonematidae) and the suborder Asagidata (Ragassagis equorum) was revealed in ungulates. Parasitism of nematodes of the suborder Strongylata (genera Chabertia and Nematodirus), and protozoa of the genus Eimegia, was detected in ruminants in the Steppe Research Station. The invasion intensity in all cases ranged from low to medium, with no clinical signs. Further studies are planned to determine the degree of biological equilibrium formation in the helminth-host system of the model plot.