The biodiversity of helminths of domestic reindeer in the Murmansk region

Abstract

The Murmansk region is an important part of the Russian Arctic Zone, and reindeer husbandry there is one of the leading branches of agriculture, which employs the local population, including indigenous peoples of the North. The success of domestic reindeer husbandry largely depends on the health of the reindeer. Since the previous fundamental study of reindeer infestation with helminths was carried out by Soviet scientists in the mid-twentieth century, there is an urgent need to revise the helminth fauna. Therefore, the aim of our work was to study the biodiversity of helminths of domestic reindeer in the Murmansk region. The study of 31 fresh samples of domestic reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) feces was carried out using complex helminthoscopy methods in accordance with GOST R 54627-2011 “Agricultural ruminant animals. Methods of laboratory helminthology diagnostics”: examination, larvoscopy according to Vajda, flotation ovoscopy according to Darling, sedimentation ovoscopy using the method of successive washings, cultivation of parasitic nematode larvae from their eggs. The intensity of invasion was determined using a VIGIS camera from the “Diapar” kit. Helminths of two classes were discovered: trematodes – the genus Paramphistomum and nematodes – the order Strongylida (in particular, the genus Ostertagia), the genus Dictyocaulus and the species Elaphostrongylus rangiferi. Prevalence rates were: 26% for Paramphistomum, 19% for strongylids, 3% for Dictyocaulus and 52% for E. rangiferi. Helminths were found both on their own and in associations: dictyocaulus + strongylids + paramphistoms, elaphostrongylids + strongylids, elaphostrongylids + paramphistoms. Among the normal larvae of E. rangiferi, there were deformed individuals: with pathological swellings in different parts of their bodies. The intensity of invasion in all cases was low.