Establishing the role of amphibians (Anura) in the prophylaxis of helminths specific to domestic, wild and pet animals

This work is based on helminthological data of amphibians, collected since 2013 until 2020, in the Republic of Moldova. The investigations on anura amphibians were conducted in the laboratory of Parazitology and Helminthology of the Institute of Zoology. One of the most common parasitic diseases in ruminants is fasciolosis, caused by the trematode Fasciola hepatica species. The results of parasitological research showed that adult cattle were infected with fascioles in 66.4% of cases, and young cattle - in 46.1% of cases. This is largely due to the grazing of animals of different species and ages in limited areas.The presence of the trematode species Haplometra cylindracea was established in 78% of cases in the amphibians in the Ranidae and Bufonidae families (Rana ridibunda, Rana lessonae, Rana temporaria, Bufo viridis). The results of laboratory helminthological investigations have shown that the relationships between the Fasciola hepatica miracidium and the Haplometra cylindracea miracidium are antagonistic. Amphibians of the Ranidae and Bufonidae families (Rana ridibunda, Rana lessonae, Rana temporaria, Bufo viridis) infested with Haplometra cylindracea tremateda may play an important role in the prophylaxis of fasciolosis.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POLYMORPHISM OF THE GREEN TOAD BUFO VIRIDIS (LAURENTI, 1768) IN THE BIOCENOSES OF THE SOUTHERN URALS (REPUBLIC OF BASHKORTOSTAN)

The results of the study of the features of polymorphism of green toad populations in the conditions of the Trans-Urals of the Republic of Bashkortostan are presented. It was found that among the green toads in the urbanized territories of the Trans-Urals, individuals with the color type M3 ("light background, merged spots") and M4 ("dark background, merged spots") prevail. There was a decrease in the diversity index in the conditions of low-rise buildings (m=1.995), as well as industrial (m=2.843) and green zones (m=2.986) relative to the control areas (3.286<m<3.99).

First detection of the amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytridium dendrobatidis) in free- living anuran populations in Greece

The amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) is a widespread, cosmopolitan pathogen largely affecting free-living amphibian populations. So far there are no published studies for the presence of B. dendrobatidis in Greece. In this preliminary study we sampled 59 metamorphosed anurans from four Greek wetlands. Five samples were positive for the fungus by real-time PCR. B. dendrobatidis was detected in three species (Bufo viridis, Pelophylax epeiroticus, Pelophylax ridibundus) but not in endangered endemic Karpathos water frogs (Pelophylax cerigensis). This is the first report of the amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) in free-living anuran populations from Greece.