Ecological and faunal characteristics of helminths of wetland birds in North-Western Uzbekistan

The article studies some faunistic features of helminths of wetland birds in the ecological crisis zone in North-Western Uzbekistan. Parasites of wetland birds collected in the basin of the lower reaches of the Amu Darya during the hunting seasons of 2018–2022 were used as material for this work. 500 individuals of birds representing 39 species from 24 genera, 13 families and 9 orders were examined using the parasitological dissection method. The article discusses the distribution and ecology of the helminths in the studied groups of birds. A total of 112 helminth species were identified in the region – 28 species belong to the class Cestoda, the class Trematoda is represented by 57 species, Nematoda – 23 and Acanthocephala – 4 species. 92 species of heminths were identified in the study area for the first time. The work provides original data on the structure of the helminth fauna from 9 orders of wetland birds. Various paths of helminth transmission in the circulation of infection were specified. The researchers identified four ways parasites use to enter their definitive host: helminths penetrate the host’s body when the latter eats other organisms, intermediate or reservoir hosts of helminths, which are part of the definitive’s host’s diet; helminths enter the host as mechanical impurity to food or water; they make active efforts to penetrate their host; helminths are transmitted by the intermediate host when the latter forages on the definitive host. Most of intermediate hosts for representatives of the class Cestoda were crustaceans – inhabitants of different types of water bodies; Oligochaeta are also included here as second or reservoir hosts. The development of trematodes occurs with the participation of aquatic molluscs acting as the first intermediate host. Various species of insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles and small mammals were identified as the second hosts. Nematoda use a wider range of intermediate hosts (Oligochaeta, crustaceans, insects – aquatic and terrestrial). Fish and amphibians were registered as the second and reservoir hosts of nematodes. The food chains of individual orders of wetland birds largely determine the composition of helminths parasitising them and are the main factor in the formation of their helminth fauna. These processes undoubtedly occur in time and space under the strict control of environmental factors

Гельминты птиц домашних и диких курообразных (Aves: Galliformes) Узбекистана

The purpose of the research is studying existing fauna and ecology of Galliform helminths in biogeocenoses of Uzbekistan.Materials and methods. Parasitic worms were collected from chicken-like birds of the terrestrial cenoses of Karakalpakstan and North-eastern Uzbekistan. Birds were studied in all seasons of 2018–2020. Wild birds – Himalayan hen, keklik, grey partridge, quail and pheasant, were hunted by local hunters during hunting seasons, while domestic birds - chickens, turkeys and guinea fowls were uncovered from different types of poultry farms. The study of birds was carried out by well-known methods. It was examined 913 wild and 755 domestic chicken-like animals. The detected cestodes and trematodes were fixed in 70% alcohol, and the nematodes were fixed in Barbagallo liquid. The determination of helminth species was carried out according to the well-known guidelines of domestic and foreign authors.Results and discussion. We found that helminthoses were widespread among representatives of Galliformes in Uzbekistan. Total helminth infections in domestic and wild Galliformes were 50.5%. In infected birds, 44 helminth species were identified, among which 10 species were cestodes, 12 species were trematodes and 22 species were nematodes. Helminth species diversity was the most extensive in the domestic chicken (36 species), turkey (21), and partridge (20). For the first time for the helminth fauna in Galliformes in Uzbekistan, we identified 3 trematode species – Brachylaema fuscatus, Collyriclum faba and Echinostoma miyagawai, and 10 nematode species of the genera Capillaria, Aonchotheca, Ascaridia, Heterakis, Dispharynx, Streptocara, Tetrameres, Diplotriaena and Ornithofilaria. Цель исследований: изучение современной фауны и особенностей экологии гельминтов курообразных птиц в биогеоценозах Узбекистана.Материалы и методы. Проведены сборы паразитических червей от курообразных птиц наземных ценозов Каракалпакстана и Северо-восточного Узбекистана. Птиц исследовали во все сезоны 2018–2020 гг. Дикие птицы – гималайский улар, кеклик, серая куропатка, перепел и фазан добывались местными охотниками в охотничьи сезоны,домашние – куры, индейки и цесарки вскрывали из разнотипных птицеводческих хозяйств. Исследование птиц проводили общепринятыми методами. Исследовано 913 экз. диких и 755 экз. домашних курообразных. Обнаруженныхцестод и трематод фиксировали в 70%-ном спирте, нематод – в жидкости Барбагалло. Определение видов гельминтов проводили согласно известным руководствам отечественных и зарубежных авторов.Результаты и обсуждение. Нами установлено, что у представителей курообразных птиц Узбекистана широко распространены гельминтозы. Общая зараженность домашних и диких курообразных гельминтами составила 50,5 %.У зараженных птиц идентифицировано 44 вида гельминтов, из них цестоды – 10 видов, трематоды – 12 и нематоды– 22 вида. Видовое разнообразие гельминтов наиболее богато у домашних кур (36 видов), индейки (21) и кеклика(20). Впервые для фауны гельминтов курообразных Узбекистана нами отмечено три вида трематод – Brachylaemafuscatus, Collyriclum faba и Echinostoma miyagawai и 10 видов нематод родов Capillaria, Aonchotheca, Ascaridia, Heterakis,Dispharynx, Streptocara, Tetrameres, Diplotriaena и Ornithofilaria

Эколого-фаунистический анализ нематод отряда Spirurida – паразитов животных Узбекистана

The purpose of the research is to study species diversity and some features of life history of Spirurida order nematodes - zooparasites of Uzbekistan.Materials and methods. Specimens of adult Spirurida order nematodes of domestic and wild animals’ population from all regions of Uzbekistan and Karakalpak Republic were collected and studied. Insects, the intermediate hosts of some species of concerned nematodes, were studied according to established methods. Some bioecological features of species Spirurata, Camallanata, Gnathostomata, Filariata suborders are analyzed.Results and discussion. Modern species diversity of Spirurida order nematodes of Uzbekistan fish, birds and mammals was studied. The order is presented by four species Spirurata, Camallanata, Gnathostomata, Filariata in studied animals. The total amount of studied order species was 145, where 16 species were recorded in fish, 81 species in birds, and 48 species in mammals. Species of Spirurata and Filariata which are widely distributed in desired hosts in Uzbekistan biogeocoenosis are the center of Spirurida fauna. Life cycles of indicated nematodes are carried out involving intermediate and reservoir (= paratenic) hosts. Specimens of Copepoda, Ephemeroptera, Orthoptera, Coleoptera and Diptera belong to the first, carp-like fish belong to the second. Evolution of infection transfer by intermediate host to definitive promotes formation and functioning of different types of parasitic systems. Цель исследований: изучение видового разнообразия и некоторых особенностей биоэкологии нематод отряда Spirurida – паразитов животных Узбекистана.Материалы и методы. Собраны и исследованы образцы половозрелых нематод ортяда Spirurida от домашних и диких популяций животных из всех областей Узбекистана и Республики Каракалпакстан. Исследованы насекомые – промежуточные хозяева некоторых видов рассматриваемых нематод по общепринятым методам. Анализируются некоторые биоэкологические особенности представителей подотрядов Spirurata, Camallanata, Gnathostomata, Filariata.Результаты и обсуждение. Изучено современное видовое разнообразие нематод отряда Spirurida у рыб, птиц и млекопитающих Узбекистана. У исследованных животных отряд представлен четырьмя – Spirurata, Camallanata, Gnathostomata, Filariata. Общее число видов исследуемого отряда составило 145, из них у рыб зарегистрировано 16 видов, у птиц – 81, у млекопитающих – 48 видов. Ядро фауны Spirurida составляют представители Spirurata и Filariata, которые широко распрост ранены у соответствующих хозяев в биогеоценозах Узбекистана. Жизненные циклы отмеченных нематод протекают с участием промежуточного и резервуарного (= паратенического) хозяев. К первым относятся представители отрядов Copepoda, Ephemeroptera, Orthoptera, Coleoptera и Diptera, ко вторым – карпообразные рыбы. Эволюция передачи инвазии промежуточным хозяином дефинитивному способствовала формированию и функционированию разных типов паразитарной системы.

THE CURRENT STATE OF REPTILES SOUTH ARAL SEA REGION AND THEIR PROTECTION

The article presents the materials of herpetological studies conducted in 2007-2018 in the South Aral region. The main work on the study of the species composition, distribution and counting of all reptile species and ecological features was carried out in three large ecosystems (North-Western Kyzyl Kum, Ustyurt and the lower reaches of the Amu Darya). The studies were carried out according to standard methods using point and route counts. In the works, generally accepted methods of zoological and environmental studies are used. As a result of the inventory, the authors identified the modern species composition and number of reptiles in this region. Only 33 species of reptiles belonging to two orders and 10 families have been identified. Among them, in the Red Book of the Republic of Uzbekistan [2009], 4 species are included from reptiles (Molchanov’s toad agama, Uzbekistan Toad Head Agama, Desert Monitor and Four-lined snake). In addition, the steppe tortoise is listed on the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. For many years, the authors studied the biology and ecology of some species such as the steppe tortoise, Sun watcher, Sandy toad agama, squeaky gecko and Rapid fringe toed lizard. In conclusion, the authors give conclusions and offer recommendations for the protection of these amazing animals

Helminths of domestic and wild chicken birds (Aves: Galliformes) of Uzbekistan

The purpose of the research is studying existing fauna and ecology of Galliform helminths in biogeocenoses of Uzbekistan.Materials and methods. Parasitic worms were collected from chicken-like birds of the terrestrial cenoses of Karakalpakstan and North-eastern Uzbekistan. Birds were studied in all seasons of 2018–2020. Wild birds – Himalayan hen, keklik, grey partridge, quail and pheasant, were hunted by local hunters during hunting seasons, while domestic birds - chickens, turkeys and guinea fowls were uncovered from different types of poultry farms. The study of birds was carried out by well-known methods. It was examined 913 wild and 755 domestic chicken-like animals. The detected cestodes and trematodes were fixed in 70% alcohol, and the nematodes were fixed in Barbagallo liquid. The determination of helminth species was carried out according to the well-known guidelines of domestic and foreign authors.Results and discussion. We found that helminthoses were widespread among representatives of Galliformes in Uzbekistan. Total helminth infections in domestic and wild Galliformes were 50.5%. In infected birds, 44 helminth species were identified, among which 10 species were cestodes, 12 species were trematodes and 22 species were nematodes. Helminth species diversity was the most extensive in the domestic chicken (36 species), turkey (21), and partridge (20). For the first time for the helminth fauna in Galliformes in Uzbekistan, we identified 3 trematode species – Brachylaema fuscatus, Collyriclum faba and Echinostoma miyagawai, and 10 nematode species of the genera Capillaria, Aonchotheca, Ascaridia, Heterakis, Dispharynx, Streptocara, Tetrameres, Diplotriaena and Ornithofilaria

Ecological and Faunistic Analysis of Spirurida Order Nematodes – Zooparasites of Uzbekistan

The purpose of the research is to study species diversity and some features of life history of Spirurida order nematodes - zooparasites of Uzbekistan.Materials and methods. Specimens of adult Spirurida order nematodes of domestic and wild animals’ population from all regions of Uzbekistan and Karakalpak Republic were collected and studied. Insects, the intermediate hosts of some species of concerned nematodes, were studied according to established methods. Some bioecological features of species Spirurata, Camallanata, Gnathostomata, Filariata suborders are analyzed.Results and discussion. Modern species diversity of Spirurida order nematodes of Uzbekistan fish, birds and mammals was studied. The order is presented by four species Spirurata, Camallanata, Gnathostomata, Filariata in studied animals. The total amount of studied order species was 145, where 16 species were recorded in fish, 81 species in birds, and 48 species in mammals. Species of Spirurata and Filariata which are widely distributed in desired hosts in Uzbekistan biogeocoenosis are the center of Spirurida fauna. Life cycles of indicated nematodes are carried out involving intermediate and reservoir (= paratenic) hosts. Specimens of Copepoda, Ephemeroptera, Orthoptera, Coleoptera and Diptera belong to the first, carp-like fish belong to the second. Evolution of infection transfer by intermediate host to definitive promotes formation and functioning of different types of parasitic systems