Invasion extensity and polyparasitic associations in cervids from the scientific reservation Plaiul Fagului [Republic of Moldova] | Extensivitatea invaziei si asociatiile poliparazitare la cervidele din rezervatia stiintifica Plaiul Fagului

The study on parasitic fauna in cervids from the scientific reservation Plaiul Fagului (Republic of Moldova) allowed identification of a high level of infestation with fascioles, dicrocelium, strongiloides, and protists. The red deer was infested with Strongyloides papillosus in 100.0% of cases, Moniezia benedeni – 12.5%, Fasciola hepatica – 25.0%, Dicrocoelium lanceolatum – 12.5%, Cooperia punctata and Ostertagia ostertagi each – 6.3%, Toxocara vitulorum – 18.8%, Trichostrongylus axei – 12. 5%, Eimeria asymmetrica – 7.9%, and E. austriaca in 6.3% of cases. The mixed forms of invasions with two species appeared in 83.1% of cases, with three species in 13.5%, and with five species in 3.4% of cases. The spotted deer was infested with Strongyloides papillosus – in 100.0% of cases, Dicrocoelium lanceolatum – 30.7%, Cooperia punctata, Ostertagia ostertagi, Toxocara vitulorum, Moniezia benedeni, and Fasciola hepatica in 10.2%, Eimeria asymmetrica – 7.9%, and in 6.8% of cases with Eimeria austriaca. The mixed infections with two species appeared in 60.0% of cases, with three species – in 30.0% and with four species in 10.0% of cases among all the infested animals. The roe deer was largely infested with Strongyloides papillosus in 100.0% of cases, Moniezia benedeni, Fasciola hepatica, Ostertagia ostertagi, Toxocara vitulorum, and Paramfistomum cervi in 15.2% of cases, Cooperia punctata – 23.2%, Eimeria capreoli and E. ponderosa in 61.6% of cases of the animals studied. The mixed infections with two species proved to be in 65.3% of cases, with three species in 18.9%, and four species in 15.8% of cases. The level of infestation of cervids from the scientific reservation Plaiul Fagului varies and depends on the biological and ecological particularities of the parasites and hosts. The analysis of the parasitic fauna in cervids inhabiting the above scientific reservation allowed identification of their three obligatory parasites, and nine species that are common both for them and domestic ruminant animals.