Helminths of yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis) trapped in the territory of colony of great cormorants

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to examine helminths of yellow-necked mice, trapped in the territory with various influence of the breeding colony of cormorants. Material and methods. Helminthologically examined individuals were snap-trapped in Juodkrantė, W Lithuania in September and October, 2013. Adult and subadult mice of both sexes have been investigated so far. Yellow-necked mice were the dominant species in the area, comprising 84% of the total catch (174 individuals were trapped in 2013). Total helminthological dissection of individual organs was used: intestines, stomach, liver and body cavity were examined. The content of the intestines and of the stomach was studied by the method of consistent flushing. The helminths found were picked out and fixed in 70% ethanol. Helminths were colored with acetic carmine or Blazhin’ carmine and mounted in Canada balsam on slides or temporary water glycerin preparations were made. Results. During preliminary investigation Trichuris muris and Syphacia sp. were identified. We also found so far unidentified nematoda. In many cases the distribution of the helminths among population of hosts was aggregated (s²/A>1). Research was partly financed by the grant No LEK-03/2012 from the Research Council of Lithuania, National research Programme Ecosystems in Lithuania: Climate Change and Human Impact “Colony of Great Cormorants in forest ecosystem – hypertrophication effect and rates of dynamics”.