ENDOPARASITES FOUND IN LEPUS EUROPAEUS HUNTED IN WESTERN ROMANIA

Abstract

The European hare (Lepus europaeus) is widely spread throughout Europe, however, their numbers are declining in some countries, with parasites bearing some responsibility for this population decrease, due to their role as favouring factors. The aim of this study was to determine the gastrointestinal parasitic populations of hares (Lepus europaeus) from Romania. The study took place during the hunting seasons (November-February) of the years 2020-2022. Gastrointestinal tracts from 72 hares were subjected to a macro- and microscopic examination in order to determine the presence of endoparasites. Each intestinal segment was individualised and examined by standard methods. The faeces were subsequently examined using the flotation method (Willis) with suprasaturated NaCl solution. Fifty one (70.8%) animals were parasitized by one or several parasite species. The following helminths were found through necropsy: Trichostrongylus spp. (76.5 %), Passalurus ambiguus (15.7 %) in the digestive tract, Dicrocoelium dendriticum (9.8 in the liver and Cysticercus pisiformis (2 %) on the abdominal serosae. Additionally, Linguatula serrata nymphs were also found in 3.9 % animals. Coproscopy revealed a prevalence rate of 100% for Eimeria spp. Multiparasitism was more frequent than parasitism involving a single species. Although the identified parasites can play an important role in the health status of rabbits.