Some features of small mammalian’s ectoparasite communities formation in the mixed forests of the Nizhny Novgorod Region

Abstract

The paper deals with some features of small mammalians ectoparasite communities formation in the mixed forests of the Nizhny Novgorod Region. It has been shown that on rodents and insectivores in the mixed forests and in the ecotone community from forest to agrocoenosis typical ectoparasite communities are observed. Only rare species demonstrate specificity in the choice of hosts. Two species of rodents Myodes glareolus and Apodemus flavicollis, being typically forest species, are characterized by the highest biodiversity of ectoparasites and high rates of their abundance. The presence of the same species of ectoparasites on the different species of small mammals indicates possible contacts between rodents and insectivores in the ecosystem and exchange of parasites. Using the method of principal components (PCA), the factors influencing parasite community have been identified. It has been shown that out of 10 factors influencing the small mammalian ectoparasites community, 5 are the most significant. Many factors influence the communities of ectoparasites of small mammals. The degree of that effect depends on different mammalian and mites biology. Factors regulate the number of parasite populations, and as a result, stable communities functioning for a long time are formed. Parasites, not showing specificity in the choice of hosts during interspecific contacts of animals in biocoenoses, spread from forest habitats to neighboring territories.