Abstract
The species of helminths collected during necropsies of three musk deer (Moschus moschiferus) from the Terney district of Primorsky Krai has been determined. Parasites of musk deer are poorly studied due to the inaccessibility of habitats and the peculiarities of the lifestyle of this ungulate. Thus, the results supplement the data on M. moschiferus parasites. Each of the studied musk deer individuals had one species of nematodes found. There were found Pygarginema skrjabini (64 specimens), Spiculopteragia asymmetrica (10 specimens) and Trichuris ovis (three specimens). S. asymmetrica was found in musk deer for the first time. The results obtained during this study, as well as previously obtained data, show that the helminthofauna of musk deer, in general, is characterized by low levels of species diversity and intensity of infection. The reasons for this, apparently, are the solitary lifestyle and feeding habits of musk deer. A small number of contacts among individuals of musk deer, as well as with ruminants of other species, reduce the risk of infection with helminths. The diet of M. moschiferus, which is based on tree lichens, also does not promote to the realization of the life cycles of helminths.
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