Biodiversity of lung helminths in terrestrial mammals from Eastern Europe.

This review provides the results of many years of original studies of the authors published in different journals and compilations taking into account an analysis of literature data. The studies on biological diversity of lung helminths of terrestrial mammals were performed by the authors in Armenia, Bulgaria and Poland. Literature data on European Russia were also taken into account. Sixteen animal species from the families Cervidae (six species), Bovidae (nine species) and Leporidae (one species) were investigated. In these animal taxons 27 helminth species from the families Dictyocaulidae (five species), Protostrongylidae (20 species), and Taeniidae (two species) have been found. Lung nematodes Muellerius capillaris and Protostrongylus hobmaieri, as well as zoonotic parasite E. granulosus were found to be common for all the countries studied. Also, relatively many species appeared common between several studied regions. Taking into account morphology, ecology and life cycles, we support a validity of genera Echinococcus and Alveococcus in the structure of the subfamily Echinococcinae of family Taeniidae.

Nematodes of birds of Armenia.

The review provides data on species composition of nematodes in 50 species of birds from Armenia (South of Lesser Caucasus). Most of the studied birds belong to Passeriformes and Charadriiformes orders. One of the studied species of birds (Larus armenicus) is an endemic. The taxonomy and host-specificity of nematodes reported in original papers are discussed with a regard to current knowledge about this point. In total, 52 nematode species parasitizing birds in Armenia are reported. Most of the reported species of nematodes are quite common in birds outside of Armenia. One species (Desmidocercella incognita from great cormorant) was first identified in Armenia. Great snipe was recorded as a new host for Hystrichis tricolor. Zoonotic nematode Trichinella pseudospiralis was reported in Armenia from Eurasian blackbird.

Species diversity of nematodes in domestic and wild ruminants of Armenia

The review provides data on species composition of nematode parasites of cattle, sheep, goats and wild ruminants (Ovis orientalis gmelini, Capreolus capreolus, Capra aegagrus aegagrus) of Armenia. Six species of lung nematodes and 22 species of gastrointestinal ones have been registered in ruminants of Armenia. Five of the species listed in the review (Protostrongylus davtiani, Protostrongylus muraschkinzewi, Nematodirus davtiani, Trichostrongylus andreevi, Trichostrongylus skrjabini) have been first identified in Armenia. The ruminant host species most studied for this territory is a domestic sheep. Data on nematodes of goats and wild ruminants are limited to sporadic reports. Data on nematodes of cattle are limited to the only one species ­ Neoascaris vitulorum. Most of the nematode species found in Armenia are common for all ruminant host species living here and noted as widespread all over the world. Eight species of nematodes detected in ruminants of Armenia able to infect humans. The taxonomy of some rare species of nematodes reported from ruminants in Armenia is not entirely clear and should be re-evaluated basing on thorough studies.

Nematodes of rodents of Armenia

This review summarizes known data on the species composition of nematodes in 24 species of rodents inhabiting the territory of Armenia (South of Lesser Caucasus). The studied rodents include members of some cosmopolitan species (Mus musculus, Rattus norvegicus, Rattus rattus), as well as endemic and narrow-areal species (Meriones vinogradovi, Spermophilus xanthoprymnus, Microtus schidlovskii, Mesocricetus brandti, Sciurus anomalus). The taxonomical identity of the nematode species reported by previous authors is discussed with regard to present knowledge about helminth fauna of rodents. Our review concludes that 34 nematode species are present in rodents in Armenia, five of which are identified for the first time in rodents from the territory of Armenia, and three of which (Trichinella spiralis, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Trichostrongylus skrjabini) are able to parasitize humans.