The present paper focuses on three species belonging to the family Hippoboscidae: Hippobosca equina, Lipoptena cervi and L. fortisetosa – haematophagus ectoparasites typical of cervids. In Europe, the forest flies (H. equina) are observed mainly in horses and cattle, but the primary host of this parasite is the red deer (Cervus elaphus). The host group of deer keds Lipoptena sp. include different ruminant species belonging to Cervidae (moose, red deer, sika deer, fallow deer, roe deer and maral) and Bovidae family (mouflon, european bison, cattle, sheep and goat). Furthermore, some species of carnivores (European badger, dog and red fox) can be accidental hosts. The presence of adult hippoboscid flies in the environment shows strong seasonality. One or two generations of H. equina occurs from May to October. The alate forms of univoltine Lipoptena cervi and probably multivoltine L. fortisetosa appear from August to September, and from June to September, respectively. During warm autumns, both species can be observed in late October, or even November. Hippobosca equina and Lipoptena cervi are native species, unlike the foreign L. fortisetosa. This Asian species was noted in Europe for the first time in the 1960s, and has rapidly spread in numerous countries. The most probable way of L. fortisetosa introduction to Europe was translocation via host (probably sika deer), or natural dispersion throughout Eurasia. Therefore L. fortisetosa should be treated as an alien invasive species in Poland and Europe. Interest in these three neglected dipteran species has increased after reports of their veterinary and medical importance. All these parasite species are able to attack humans. Bites of these insects are considered painful, cause skin lesions with the presence of characteristic persistent pruritic papules, and, in extreme cases, may result in an anaphylactic reaction. Hippoboscids can play a role in the transmission of bacterial pathogens, including Anaplasma and Bartonella genera, dangerous for humans and animals. Permanent and intensive attacks on humans, during the seasonal mass occurrence of these parasites, can hinder forestry work, as well as harvesting, recreation, and hunting activities in forested areas.

SummaryOf 25 wild boars (Sus scrofa) collected in southern Poland during the winter season of 2009/2010 and examined for lung nematodes, 20 (80.0 %) were concominantly infected, and the mean ± SD intensity reached 84.8 ± 67.6 (range 7 -250) parasites. From the whole of 1695 gathered Metastrongylidae specimens, 1121 (66.1 %) were distinguished to five species: Metastrongylus pudendotectus, M. salmi, M. asymmetricus, M. elongatus and M. confusus. The species ratios were 3.4:2.7:1.5:1.1:1.0, respectively, with the average male to female worms proportion of 1:2.7. M. pudendotectus and M. confusus affected most (76.0 %) of animals, followed by M. salmi (72.0 %), M. elongatus (64.0 %) and M. asymmetricus (40.0 %). Compared to juveniles under 1 year and females, adults and male hosts tended to be more infected, and wild boars inhabiting primeval forest were more affected by lung nematodes than those living in the arable land, all the differences being however not significant. Possible factors structuring Metastrongylidae communities are discussed.

Species of the Metastrongylus genus, the lung nematodes of pigs that require an intermediate host (earthworm) to complete their cycle, pose a potential risk to both livestock and humans. This parasite which can result in lung pathology and mixed infections with other pathogens (e.g. viruses) can be fatal to pigs. Although this genus is distributed worldwide, there are no classification keys for identifying this common parasite species. In this work, we take advantage of parasitological surveys of wild boar (Sus scrofa) in northern and central Spain and southern Poland to develop a morphological identification key for the five most common Metastrongylus species (Metastrongylus apri, Metastrongylus pudendotectus, Metastrongylus salmi, Metastrongylus confusus and Metastrongylus asymetricus). In addition, we provide the first record of M. confusus in Spain, probably unidentified until now due to the lack of appropriate identification keys. We hope that this user-friendly identification key will enable parasitologists and veterinary practitioners to avoid further misclassifications of Metastrongylus species.

This paper focuses on the species diversity among the Trichostrongylidae Leiper, 1912 (Nematoda: Strongylida), and complexity of the family systematics. Polymorphism (subfamilies: Ostertagiinae, Cooperiinae and Haemonchinae), the presence of cryptic species (genus: Teladorsagia) and hybridization (genera: Cooperia, Haemonchus and Ostertagia) are presented and discussed, considering both morphological and molecular evidence. Some of these phenomena are common, nevertheless not sufficiently understood, which indicates the need for expanding the current state of knowledge thereof. Within the Trichostrongylidae, species distinction supported merely by morphological features is difficult, and requires confirmation by means of molecular methods. The parasitic nematode taxonomy is complicated mainly by the genus Teladorsagia, but complexity may also be expected among other Ostertagiinae (e.g. in the genera Ostertagia and Marshallagia). The data presented here show that the members of the Trichostrongylidae can significantly complicate unambiguous species identification. Hence, it is essential to consider the phenomena mentioned, to gather valid and comparable data on the biodiversity of this family.

in rabbit management, coccidiosis caused by Eimeria protozoa is a serious health, production and economic problem due to its widespread occurrence. according to regulation (ec) No 1831/2003 of the european Parliament and of the council on additives for use in animal nutrition, coccidiostats will be phased out of use by 31 december 2012. this has prompted a search for natural alternatives to coccidiostats, which could stop the progression of this disease. the aim of the study was to identify parasitic invasions in a herd of rabbits before and after the use of natural alternatives to common coccidiostatic drugs and to determine the effect of these alternatives on rabbit performance and meat quality. different proportions of feed additives based on natural oregano and garlic oils, added to complete diets, had a positive effect on the weight gains of young rabbits during the study from 35 to 90 days of age. in all experimental groups, dressing percentage was higher than the values reported for New Zealand White rabbits, and the feed additives had no effect on the taste of meat samples evaluated. Properly formulated rations of the concentrates reduced the intensity of coccidial infections while protecting the animals against secondary bacterial and viral infections, which usually accompany coccidiosis and are a common cause of mortality. the present results suggest that the herb extracts can be successfully used in prophylaxis as natural alternatives to coccidiostats in feeds.