Spread of the trematode Plagiorchis elegans (Rudolphi, 1802) insmall rodents from various biotopes of the Republic of Moldova

Abstract

The prevalence of Plaghiorchis eleganswas recorded as follows: in Clethrion-omys glareolus– 3,8%, Apodemus sylvaticus– 19,2%, in A. agrarius– 11,8% and in the A. flavicollis– 12,8%. The absence of the causal trematode P. elegansin the host species (Microtus rossiaemeridionalis M. arvalis, Cricetulus migratorius, Apodemus uralensis, Mus musculus, M. spicilegus) from dry biotopes is due to the absence of ecological conditions (swamps, ponds, streams) specific for the development of aquatic gastropods, fish (intermediate hosts) and aquatic insects or crustaceans (complementary hosts), involvedin the biological cycle of the parasite.