Abstract
In the Northern part of Serbia, which is part of Pannonian Basin, mute swan (Cygnus olor) population has notably increased over the last few decades. Like other birds from Anatidae family, mute swans are a host of numerous endoparasite species. The aim of this study was to acquire the data on identification and prevalence of endoparasites in mute swans in the Republic of Serbia, as that information is lacking. Individual faecal samples of sixty-eight adult mute swans were examined for the presence of endoparasites. Coprological examination was performed using flotation and sedimentation technique with saturated ZnSO4 solution. The samples were collected from December 2016 to March 2017, during epizootic of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 in the Republic of Serbia. Dead mute swans were collected from twelve different locations in the Northern part of Serbia. Altogether, 39.7% of the examined fecal samples contained different parasites. The endoparasitic fauna was divers and included 3 species of nematodes, 2 cestodes species, one trematode and one protozoan species. Nematodes were the most prevalent helminthes and among these the most frequent nematode species found was Heterakis dispar (17.6%), followed by Echinuria uncinata (5,8%) and Ascaridia spp. (4,4%). Four mixed infections were found, where double infection was the most prevalent. No endoparasites were found in faecal samples of mute swans collected from the locations Sombor and Titel. As this study covers a small population of mute swans, more detailed studies need to be carried out on a larger population in order to gain an insight into the diversity and prevalence of endoparasites in the Republic of Serbia.
Highlights
It is known than mute swan (Cygnus olor, Gmelin, 1789) population started to colonize wetlands in Northern parts of Serbia in the early 1980s (Hulo, 1997)
Considering its partially migratory behaviour and their strong association with aquatic habitats, we found it very important to establish the extensity and prevalence of endoparasitic infections in mute swan populations in Northern part of Serbia
Out of 68 mute swans examined, infection with endoparasites occurred in 39.7% of mute swans (27/68)
Summary
It is known than mute swan (Cygnus olor, Gmelin, 1789) population started to colonize wetlands in Northern parts of Serbia in the early 1980s (Hulo, 1997). Today there is no precise data about the recent size of the mute swan population, but it is known that in the last three decades they mostly overwinter in Bačka Podunavlje, Northern part of Serbia. It is known that the mute swan population in the Republic of Serbia has increased during the last three decades (Tucakov, 2005). Waterfowl characteristic to aggregate in large numbers during breeding season or winter migration can lead to the transfer of disease-causing organisms, including different parasites. Parasitic diseases of waterfowl are common, but they do not cause high mortality rate. Parasites can contribute to increased mortality in cases of other disease outbreaks (Olsen, 2009)
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