HELMINTHOFAUNA OF THE ERMINE (MUSTELA ERMINEA)
The purpose of the work was to study the helminth fauna of the ermine on the territory of the Ryazan region. We studied 19 ermine heads, Mustela erminea, aged from 1 to 3 years, using the method of complete helminthological dissection. The material for the study (animal carcass) was removed from the “Shilovskoye” hunting ground of the Ryazan Regional Society of Hunters and Fishermen in the floodplain of the Oka, Pary and Ibreda rivers. Animals were harvested under one-time licenses using cup traps No. 0, 1 and live traps for small predatory animals. The period of production of the beast was 2013–2018 from October to March. The carcasses of animals were delivered to the laboratory in a chilled or frozen state. The collected worms were fixed in ethanol (70% solution) or Barbagallo liquids. Determination of the helminthological material to the species was carried out according to the determinant of helminths of predatory mammals of the USSR. As a result of research, 6 types of helminths of 3 systematic classes were identified in the ermine: 2 types of trematodes, 3 types of nematodes and one type of scrapers. Two species of trematodes were identified – Euparyphium melis and Alaria spp. larvae in the small intestine and muscle tissue (diaphragm, masseter). Among the nematodes, 3 species are represented – Capillaria putorii, Skrjabingylus petrowi and large larvae Larvae migrans spp. (3.5–4.5 mm). Round helminths were localized in the small intestine, frontal sinuses and muscle tissue (diaphragm). Macracanthorhynchus catulinus larvae were recorded in the muscles of the diaphragm, abdominal muscles and extensor and flexor muscles of the hind limbs. The animal can be both the ultimate owner of helminthiasis, and intermediate one.