Helminth fauna ofTalpaspp. in the Palaearctic Realm

Abstract

AbstractThe helminth fauna of the genusTalpain the Palaearctic Realm is reviewed. Several helminth species reported inTalpaspp. by a number of authors are discussed, with reference to host specificity, parasite biology, and host ethology, ecology and phylogeny. Twelve species of cestodes were found, two of which exhibit stenoxenous specificity (Staphylocystis bacillarisandMultitesticulata filamentosa). Only three species of trematodes,Ityogonimus lorum,Ityogonimus ocreatusandCombesia macrobursata, are exclusive parasites ofTalpaspp. The largest group are nematodes, with 37 species. Species ofTricholinstowiaare parasites of holarctic talpids and several species of distinct genera, such asCapillaria,SoboliphymeandTrichuris, are found only inTalpaspp. Only acanthocephalans of the genusMoniliformishave been reported in moles of the genusTalpa. On the basis of these helminthological findings, the close phylogenetic relationship between moles (Talpidae) and shrews (Soricidae) supports the separation of the ordinal levels Soricomorpha and Erinaceomorpha.