Structure and seasonal dynamics of helminth fauna of the great tit Parus major (Passeriformes, Paridae) from Samarskaya Luka

Abstract

The purpose of the research: the study of structure and seasonal dynamics of the species composition of helminth fauna of the great tit from Samarskaya Luka. materials and methods. 60 individuals of the great tit were examined by the method of complete helminthological dissection. The catching of birds was carried out with trapping nets. Parasitological objects were treated according to standard methods. The obtained data were statistically processed using the Kovnatsky dominance index, Kruskal-Wallis H test and Mann-Whitney U test. Results and discussion. Helminth fauna of the great tit from Samarskaya Luka was studied for the first time. The analysis of the structure and seasonal dynamics of the species composition of bird parasites was carried out. Helminth fauna of the great tit includes 11 parasite species. Cestodes and trematodes (5 species each) form the basis of helminth fauna. Only one nematode species (Physocephalus sexalatus, larvae) was revealed in tits. For the first time, the cestode Emberizotaenia reductorhyncha was found in birds from the Volga Basin. The great tit was registered as a new host for cestodes Wardium farciminosa and Passerilepis spasskii. Seasonal dynamics of helminth fauna of the great tit is connected with appearance or disappearance of rare parasites. Altogether, two parasite species occur in birds in all year seasons. The greatest diversity of parasites is observed in summer (11 species). In autumn (7) and spring (2) the parasite fauna is less abundant and diverse.