THE FIRST REPORT ABOUT <i>LAPHOSTRONGYLUS RANGIFERI</i> (INVASIVE PARASITIC SPECIES IN REINDEER) IN THE LENINGRAD REGION

Abstract

is a parasitic nematode specific to reindeer ( ). In the XXth century, reindeer were not found in the Leningrad Region. However, by 2020, several dozen of them were brought from the Murmansk Region and the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug and settled in at least seven private menageries. As a result of a study of the feces of 34 imported reindeer carried out in 2018-2021, larvae of nematodes were isolated, whose morphological, morphometric, physiological and biological characteristics corresponded to those of E. rangiferi . The species identification was confirmed by subsequent molecular genetic studies. The discovery of parasite larvae in the feces of the second generation reindeer (born in 2018-2020) indicates the successful completion of the full life cycle of this helminth, which requires a participation of intermediate hosts - terrestrial or freshwater gastropods. A combination of such circumstances as: 1) the appearance of reindeer infested with E. rangiferi in the Leningrad Region; 2) the presence of wild, agricultural and zoo ruminants capable of becoming the definitive hosts for Elaphostrongylus in the Leningrad Region; 3) the spread of the larvae of this parasite as a result of free walking of reindeer in the forest, their lease and resale, the commercial sale of non-disinfected manure; 4) the ability of larvae to maintain viability in feces and infected mollusks for about 2 years, withstanding freezing and drying; 5) high lethality of infested nonspecific hosts due to parasitic encephalomyelitis, pneumonia, etc.; 6) the lack of methods for treating sick animals - endangers the theriofauna of the Leningrad Region.