The first finding of Moniliformis moniliformis (Acanthocephala, Moniliformidae) in Belarus.

Information on the detection of acanthocephalan Moniliformis moniliformis (Bremser, 1811) in a striped field mouse in Belarus and the short description of this parasite is given. The first finding of this helminth in Belarus (Malorita district of Brest region, south-western part of Belarus) is reported. The functioning of the centre of moniliformosis on the drainage system in the Malorita district is described. Rodents, as well as other animals as definitive hosts and insects as intermediate hosts of acanthocephalan Moniliformis moniliformis, take part in centre formation. This helminth has a medical significance because parasitize not only animals but also humans.

Helminth infections of the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus Berkenhout, 1769) in the biocenoses of South-West Belarus.

The result of helminthological examination of 20 brown rats from various biocenoses of South-West Belarus during 1996-2011 is presented. Twelve animals were infected. Six species of helminths were found: 1 trematode species, 3 cestode species and 2 nematode species. The most often, the brown rat infected with mesocercariae of trematode Alaria alata (Goeze, 1782). The helminth fauna of brown rats living in the biocenoses are specified for the first time in Belarus.

Helminth parasites of the Eurasian water shrew (Neomys fodiens pennant, 1771) in South-West Belarus.

The result of helminthological investigation of 25 Eurasian water shrews during 1996-2011 in South-West Belarus is presented. Sixteen species of helminths (8 species of trematodes, 3 species of cestodes and 5 species of nematodes) were discovered in 92.0 % of animals (23 infected individuals). The most common species is the trematode Neoglyphe locellus (Kossack, 1910). The cestode Triodontolepis sumavensis (Prokopic, 1957), nematodes Capillaria konstantini Romashov, 1999 and Longistriata neomi Lubarskaja, 1962 is specified in Belarus for the first time. Twenty-one species of helminths in total were found by helminthologists in this mammal in South-West Belarus in the period 1960-2011.

New data about the helminth fauna of the red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris Linnaeus, 1758) in Belorussian Polesie.

The result of helminthological examination of 5 red squirrels in Belorussian Polesie during 2003-2012 is presented. Two species of helminths were found: Taenia martis (Zeder, 1803) larvae and Syphacia thompsoni Price, 1928. The red squirrel for the first time established as host of cestode T. martis. The nematode S. thompsoni registered as Syphacia sp. in this region between 1985 and 2000.

[Monitoring of the helminth fauna of small rodents of land reclamation canal banks in Belorussian Polesie].

The results of monitoring of the helminth fauna of small rodents dwelling in land reclamation canal banks performed in 2005-2010 in Belorussian Polesie are presented. A total of 38 helminth species were revealed, and the total infestation rate constituted 56.0%. The data are compared with similar observations performed in 1996-1999.

[Helminth fauna of the wolf (Canis lupus Linnaeus, 1758) in Belorussian Polesie].

The results of our own long-term helminthological investigations (1980-2010) of wolves in Belorussian Polesie are presented. 87.2% of wolves were infected by helminths according to helminthological autopsy, and 98.5% by coproscopical data. 26 species of helminths were found: 5 trematode species, 9 cestode species, 11 nematode species and 1 acanthocephalan species. The wolf is a new host for nematode Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy, 1856) in Belarus.

[Monitoring of the helminth of insectivorous mammals of meliorative canal banks in Belorussian Polesie].

The helminth fauna of insectivorous mammals inhabiting meliorative canal banks has been examined in western part of Belorussian Polesie during 2005-2010. 33 species of helminthes were found in 4 species of small mammals, and total infection was 94.2%. The results of monitoring were compared with the observations carried out in the same territory in 1996-1999. Common shrew was found to be the dominant species among insectivorous mammals. The helminth complex in the insectivorous mammals inhabiting meliorativ canal banks is formed mainly from the helminths of this host species.

Spermiogenesis and spermatozoon ultrastructure of Diplodiscus subclavatus (Pallas, 1760) (Paramphistomoidea, Diplodiscidae), an intestinal fluke of the pool frog Rana lessonae (Amphibia, Anura).

Spermiogenesis in Diplodiscus subclavatus begins with the formation of the zone of differentiation presenting two centrioles associated with striated roots and an intercentriolar body. The latter presents seven electron-dense layers with a fine central plate and three plates on both sides. The external pair of these electron-dense layers is formed by a granular row. Each centriole develops into a free flagellum, both of them growing orthogonally in relation to the median cytoplasmic process. After the flagellar rotation and before the proximodistal fusion of both flagella with the median cytoplasmic process four attachment zones were already observed in several cross-sections indicating the area of fusion. Spinelike bodies are also observed in the differentiation zone before the fusion of flagella. Finally, the constriction of the ring of arched membranes gives rise to the young spermatozoon that detaches from the residual cytoplasm. The mature spermatozoon of D. subclavatus shows all the classical characters observed in Digenea spermatozoa such as two axonemes of different length of the 9+"1" trepaxonematan pattern, nucleus, mitochondrion, two bundles of parallel cortical microtubules and granules of glycogen. However, some peculiarities such as a well-developed lateral expansion associated with external ornamentation of the plasma membrane and spinelike bodies combined with their area of appearance distinguish the ultrastructural organization of the sperm cells of D. subclavatus from those of other digeneans.

[Helminthofauna of reptiles in the Republic of Belarus].

Analysis of original long-term investigation (1980-2006) and literary data on the helminthofauna of reptiles in the Republic of Belarus is carried out. Seven species of reptiles were examined on Southern Belarus, 32 species of helminthes were found with total infestation 72.7%. It is established that the helminthofauna of reptiles in the Republic of Belarus includes 33 species (18 trematodes, two cestodes, 12 nematodes, and one acanthocephalan). The largest number of helminth species (26) was recorded in the common water snake Natrix natrix, and the least number of species (four) was recorded in the turtle Emys orbicularis and snake Coronella austriaca.

[Taenia martis (Cestoda, Taeniidae) from vertebrates in the Republic of Belarus].

Infestation of vertebrate animals with the cestode Taenia martis and its larvae was investigated in south-west Belarus during 2001-2008. Obligatory definitive host (common marten) and intermediate hosts (red-backed vole, yellow-necked mouse, striped field mouse, and red squirrel) of this helminth were established for the Republic of Belarus. Description and figure of the T. martis larva is given.

[Hydatigerosis and strobilocercosis in the Republic of Belarus and their medical significance].

The author presents the results of his own studies that were conducted during many years (1980-2007) and the data of Byelorussian helminthologists on the detection of the cestode of H. taeniaeformis and its larvae (strobilocercus), which induce hydatigerosis and strobilocercosis, respectively, in animals in the Republic of Belarus. This helminth (an imago and a larva) may parasite in man. Emphasis is laid on the fact that the residents of Belarus can be infected on chance ingestion of eggs of the cestode of H. taeniaeformis.

[Helminth fauna of amphibians (Vertebrata: Amphibia) in the Republic of Belarus].

Historical review of the investigations of helminth fauna in amphibians from Belarus is presented. In 12 amphibian species examined by different authors 46 helminth species were found, including 29 Trematoda, 13 Nematoda, 1 Monogenea, 2 Cestoda, and 1 Acanthocephala. Original data on helminths parasitizing Amphibia in Byelorussian Polesie, by the results of long-term investigations in 1986-2004 are given. Distribution of 40 helminth species by hosts and respective infestation rates are reported.

[Metazoan parasites of fishes from the Bug River].

Results if the ichthyoparasitological investigation of the Bug River carried out in 1996-1999 are reported. Twenty-nine metazoan parasite species from 7 classes were found in fishes from the studied area, with the total infestation rate 63.9%. Thirteen of them parasitize fish at larval stages. Metacercariae of Opisthorchis felineus, which ate the agents of opisthorchosis in man and animals, were found in roach.

[Animal corynosomosis is a potential human helminthiasis in the Republic of Belarus].

In the Republic of Belarus, one representative of the genus Corynosoma - C. strumosum (Rudolphi, 1802) that is a causative agent of corynosomosis and that is of medical value is parasitic on animals. In Belarus, this proboscis worm has been encountered only in European and American minks. The author of the paper found this helminth in 2 of the 50 examined American minks in Byelorussian Polesye in 1980-2001. In this region, there were no C. strumosum larvae in fishes (1394 fishes of 21 species were studied). It is noted that the American mink plays a dominant role in the circulation of invasion and the attention of medical workers ofBelarus is drawn to the existing risk of human infection with the pathogen of Corynosomosis.

[Helminth fauna in insectivores (Mammalia: Insectivora) of canal banks in meliorated territories].

Helminth fauna of Insectivora was investigated in canal banks situated in meliorated territories of Belorussian Polesie during 1996-1999. Thirty-three helminth species were found in the animals examined. Most of the parasites are usual in common shrew Sorex araneus L., which is a predominate insectivore species in canal banks.

[Contamination of meliorated territories by carnivore excrements contain eggs and larva of helminths (a study of problems of parasitic contamination)].

The results of coproscopical examined of carnivores carries out on eight meliorative systems of western part of Belorussian Polesie during 1995-1999 are presented. Eggs and larva of helminths were found in 95.4 % of these animal excrements. A hundred of the meliorative channel banks contained 11.7 grams of excrements. These excrements contained up to 3890 eggs and larva of helminths. These results will important for studying of problems of parasitic contamination in meliorated territories.

Helminth fauna of cervids in Belorussian Polesie.

We report on the examination of 18 elk ( Alces alces), 16 red deer (Cervus elaphus)and 16 roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus) from the Belorussian Polesie in the period 1981-1998 for helminths. A total of 18 helminth species were found including Dictyocaulus eckerti, Fasciola hepatica, Oesophagostomum venulosum, Taenia hydatigena larvae and Trichuris ovis, all of which occurred in all host species. Sixteen of the species found are known to infect humans, domestic animals and/or farm animals.

Helminth fauna of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes Linnaeus, 1758) in southern Belarus.

We examined 94 carcasses of and 1,213 faecal samples from red foxes collected between 1981 and 2001 in natural and transformed ecosystems in the southern part of Belarus. A total of 32 helminth species were found. Of these, the most common were Alaria alata, Pearsonema plica, Taenia crassiceps, Toxocara canis, Trichinella spp. larvae and Uncinaria stenocephala. All species are significant for medical and veterinary health.