Helminths of Erinaceus roumanicus (Eulipotyphla, Erinaceidae) in Mordovia (Russia) with an Overview of Helminth Fauna of Erinaceus spp. Inhabiting the Palaearctic Region

Abstract

The helminth fauna of the Northern white-breasted hedgehog Erinaceus roumanicus was studied in the Republic of Mordovia (Russia) for the first time. In total, 9 species of helminths were found in 23 studied hedgehogs: Trematoda—Isthmiophora melis, Strigea strigis (metacercaria); Cestoda—Hymenolepis erinacei; Nematoda—Aonchotheca erinacei, Physaloptera clausa, Crenosoma striatum, Physocephalus sexalatus (juvenile), Agamospirura minuta (juvenile); and Acanthocephala—Nephridiorhynchus major. Four parasite species (the trematode I. melis, nematodes P. sexalatus, A. minuta, and the acanthocephalan N. major) were found in hedgehogs for the first time in Russia. An overview of the helminth fauna of four species of Erinaceus hedgehogs inhabiting the Palearctic region is given. A total of 54 parasite species were recorded across Erinaceus europaeus, E. roumanicus, E. concolor and E. amurensis: 14 trematodes, 6 cestodes, 27 nematodes, and 7 acanthocephalans. Among all the studied species of hedgehogs, E. europaeus (35 species) and E. roumanicus (36) have the richest helminth faunas. The diversity of the parasite communities of Erinaceus spp. is due to the wide distribution and varied diet of these mammals. Most of the helminths found in hedgehogs are transmitted along trophic chains. Hedgehogs are the final hosts for 39 species of parasites. For 15 helminth species, Erinaceus spp. are paratenic hosts. The majority of the hedgehog’s helminth fauna is formed by host-specific parasites, of which there are 13 species. Most of the hedgehog’s parasites in the Palaearctic are facultative (non-specific) species that parasitize in various vertebrate species. The helminth fauna of Erinaceus hedgehogs is most studied in Russia and Belarus, where 17 species of parasites are found in each country. The comparative analysis of the helminth faunas of Erinaceus spp. from various regions showed, on the one hand, the originality of the helminth fauna of each hedgehog species and, on the other, the similarity of the helminth fauna of these insectivores from various countries of the Palaearctic. These features are caused by similar lifestyles and diet peculiarities of every hedgehog species in various regions of the Palaearctic. A total of 12 of the 54 helminth species found in hedgehogs have medical and veterinary significance as causative agents of dangerous helminthiasis.

Diversity of Helminths of Insectivorous Mammals (Mammalia: Eulipothyphla) from Large Forest Protected Areas of the Middle Volga Region (European Russia)

“…Infection of shrews and hedgehogs with the metacercariae of S. strigis probably occurs when the animals feed on amphibians, which are the second intermediate host of this parasite [186]. Infection of insectivores with this trematode species is less likely through aquatic gastropods, intermediate hosts of strigeids [25,186].…”

“…Due to its lifestyle, E. roumanicus has a specific composition of parasites. The enrichment of its helminth fauna occurs due to occasional parasites characteristic of other vertebrates [25].…”

“…Shrews, in particular, can carry micromycete spores on their fur, thereby promoting the decomposition of litter [21,22]. In addition, insectivorous mammals are the definitive and/or paratenic hosts of parasitic worms and participate in the circulation of the helminths of other vertebrates [23][24][25].…”

“…As a rule, studies were devoted either to individual taxonomic groups of helminths or to individual species or genera of hosts. Thus, the helminth fauna of hedgehogs [25,36,101] and moles [112] in Europe has been studied quite fully. Among shrews, the most common species, Sorex araneus, is the most studied [113].…”

“…Among shrews, the most common species, Sorex araneus, is the most studied [113]. In recent decades, reviews of the helminth fauna of individual species or genera of insectivores, as well as molecular genetic studies of cestodes from shrews, have appeared [25,36,101,[112][113][114][115][116][117][118][119].…”