Morphologically, 64 strongylid species have been described in equines. Co-infections are common, with up to 29 species reported in a single horse. Morphological identification of these species is time consuming and requires expert knowledge due to their similar appearance. Therefore, non-invasive identification methods are needed. DNA barcoding offers a rapid and reliable tool for species identification and the discovery of cryptic species for these most common parasitic nematodes of equines. In total, 269 cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene and 312 internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS-2) sequences from 27 equine Strongylidae species, including sequences from two uncharacterised species, Coronocyclus sagittatus and Triodontophorus tenuicollis, were generated and combined with COI and ITS-2 sequences data from six Cyathostominae species from previous studies. This study represents a comprehensive DNA barcoding analysis of 22 Cyathostominae and six Strongylinae species using mitochondrial COI gene and ITS-2 sequences. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic trees were constructed and the intra- and interspecific genetic distances for both markers were compared. Analysis revealed complex phylogenetic relationships. Para- and polyphyletic relationships were observed among most genera within Strongylinae and Cyathostominae. This challenges current morphological classifications. Although both markers showed overlapping pairwise identities in intra- and inter-species comparisons, COI had higher discriminatory power than ITS-2. Expanding the COI and ITS-2 reference database, including the first sequences for Coronocyclus sagittatus and Triodontophorus tenuicollis, improve a reliable species identification and advanced studies on Strongylinae and Cyathostominae diversity using barcoding and metabarcoding.

Sheep breeding is a branch of animal husbandry that is unique in terms of the variety and specificity of products. Sheep can utilize feed resources that are almost inaccessible to other types of farm animals. One of the factors in increasing the efficiency of sheep breeding is ensuring the well-being of farms concerning invasive diseases, particularly trichurosis. Successful control of trichurosis in sheep farms is the most effective for monitoring and forecasting the development of the epizootic situation depending on the climate-geographical zone. The work aimed to monitor the epizootic situation regarding sheep trichurosis in the Poltava region. According to the analysis of the statistical data of the reporting documentation of the Main Department of the State Production and Consumer Service in the Poltava region for 2018–2022, it was established that the share of helminthiasis among diseases of infectious etiology of sheep reaches 99.6 %. At the same time, among helminthiasis, nematodes have the highest specific weight – 69.0 %, and trematodes were less common – 31.0 %. Strongyloidiasis (68.05 %) was diagnosed most frequently among helminth infections during the studied period. A smaller percentage was strongylidosis of digestive organs (17.16 %) and trichurosis (11.24 %). Dictyocaulosis was rarely diagnosed among livestock (3.55 %). The average extent of trichurosis infestation of sheep during the investigated period in the territory of the Poltava region was 7.51 %, ranging from 5.83 to 9.26 %. Indicators of the extent of trichurosis invasion ranged from 5.45 to 33.33 % by area. According to the results of coproovoscopy, the highest values of sheep infestation with Trichuris were found in the farms of Karliv and Mashiv regions – 33.33 and 20.0 %, respectively. Less often, trichurosis was diagnosed in sheep farms of Dykanskyi (8.0 %), Reshetylivskyi (6.67 %), and Kotelevskyi (5.45 %) districts. The obtained data from monitoring studies prove the relevance of the further and more in-depth analysis of the spread of trichurosis infestation among sheep in the territory of the Poltava region, taking into account the age and seasonal dynamics of the disease, as well as the peculiarities of its course as part of mixed infestations.

The cestode Echinococcus multilocularis is the causative agent of alveolar echinococcosis, a severe helminthic zoonotic disease distributed in the Northern Hemisphere. The lifecycle of the parasite is mainly sylvatic, involving canid and rodent hosts. The absence of genetic data from most eastern European countries is a major knowledge gap, affecting the study of associations with parasite populations in Western Europe. In this study, EmsB microsatellite genotyping of E. multilocularis was performed to describe the genetic diversity and relatedness of 785 E. multilocularis isolates from four western and nine eastern European countries, as well as from Armenia and the Asian parts of Russia and Turkey. The presence of the same E. multilocularis populations in the Benelux resulting from expansion from the historical Alpine focus can be deduced from the main profiles shared between these countries. All 33 EmsB profiles obtained from 528 samples from the nine eastern European countries belonged to the European clade, except one Asian profile form Ryazan Oblast, Russia. The expansion of E. multilocularis seems to have progressed from the historical Alpine focus through Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and southern Poland towards Latvia and Estonia. Most of the samples from Asia belong to the Asian clade, with one EmsB profile shared between Armenia and Turkey, and two between Turkey and Russia. However, two European profiles were described from two foxes in Turkey, including one harboring worms from both European and Asian clades. Three EmsB profiles from three Russian samples were associated with the Arctic clade. Two E. multilocularis profiles from rodents from Lake Baikal belonged to the Mongolian clade, described for the first time here using EmsB. Further worldwide studies on the genetic diversity of E. multilocularis using both mitochondrial sequencing and EmsB genotyping are needed to understand the distribution and expansion of the various clades.

Resistance of strongylids in domestic horses to benzimidazole anthelmintics (BZ) has been detected worldwide; however, information on the presence of BZ-resistance in wild equids has not been published to date. The purpose of this study was to analyze the manifestations of the BZ resistance in strongylids in domestic and wild equids kept in the Askania Nova Biosphere Reserve, Ukraine. Four species of equids: domestic horses and Shetland ponies (Equus caballus), donkeys (E. asinus), plains zebras (E. burchelli) and Grévy’s zebras (E. grevyi) kept under semi-freeconditions were examined using the Fecal Egg Count Reduction Test (FECRT) in order to detect the presence of resistance to the BZ anthelmintics. Analysis of long-term data (2009–2019) revealed a decrease in the efficacy of BZ drugs against strongylids in these four species of equids from 97.6% in 2009 to <75% in 2019. The efficacy of anthelmintic treatments was low in all species of equids: in plains zebras – 69.4%, Grévy’s zebras – 72.7%, horses – 66.4%, ponies – 61.1% and donkeys – 45.2%. Ten species of cyathostomins (Cyathostomum catinatum, Cylicocyclus nassatus, C. ashworthi, C. leptostomus, Cylicostephanus calicatus, C. goldi, C. longibursatus, C. minutus, Coronocyclus labiatus, C. labratus) were found after horse deworming with albendazole. Our results are the first detection of BZ-resistance in strongylids of wild equids kept under semi-free conditions in the Reserve.

Abstract More than 30 species of exotic ungulates are currently kept in the Askania-Nova Biosphere Reserve (Kherson Region, Ukraine). During the years 1978–2014, 146 ungulates of 24 species (16 species of Bovidae, 4 — Cervidae, 4 — Camelidae) were examined by partial helminthological dissection; more than 402,700 specimens of helminths were collected and identified. The purpose of the present study was to summarize these data and analyze the species diversity in exotic ungulates. Totally, 38 species of helminths: 3 species of Trematoda, 6 — Cestoda, 29 — Nematoda were found. Ungulates from the family Bovidae were the most infected; they harbored 36 species of helminths, 1–18 species per host. In Camelidae, 15 species were found; 3–10 species per host. Cervidae harbored 9 species; 1–6 species per host. The highest species diversity was detected in the ungulates introduced from regions with climatic conditions similar to those in southern Ukraine: saiga antelope (19 species), European mouflon (18), Barbary sheep (18), and markhor (17). Ten species typical for domestic ruminants (Haemonchus contortus, Nematodirus sp., Aonchotheca bovis, Moniezia expansa, Oesophagostomum venulosum, Ostertagia circumcincta, Trichostrongylus axei, T. colubriformis, T. probolurus and Trichuris ovis) dominated in the parasite communities. Our results indicated reduction in the species diversity and alteration of the parasite community structures in these exotic ungulates kept in the Askania-Nova Reserve compared to their natural habitats.

During a survey of the biodiversity of entomopathogenic nematodes in Ukraine, a population of Steinernema arenarium, strain Ch, was recovered in the sensitive Chornobyl Exclusion Zone. In the present work, this strain was morphologically and molecularly characterised using light microscopy and the sequences of the ITS and D2–D3 region of the 28S rDNA. In addition, we sequenced the ITS and D2–D3 regions of four populations of S. arenarium from a laboratory collection. Phylogenetic analyses were performed and the phylogenetic structure and geographic distribution of S. arenarium are discussed.

An extensive analysis of the relationships between strongylid egg shedding in domestic horses and the strongylid community structure in regard to the age of the horses, their breeds and different strategies of horse management, particularly with anthelmintic treatment programs was performed. Domestic horses (n = 197) of different ages (5 months to 22 years) and of various breeds from 15 farms with different types of deworming programs were included in this study. Strongylids (totally, 82,767 specimens) were collected in vivo after deworming of the horses with the macrocyclic lactone anthelmintic ("Univerm", 0.2% aversectin C), and identified to the species level. Models of multiple regressions with dummy variables were used to estimate the effects of age, breed, type of farm and deworming programs on number of eggs shed per gram of feces (EPG value) and the strongylid community.Totally, 33 strongylid species were collected (8 species of Strongylinae and 25 - of Cyathostominae); a significant correlation (r = 0.67; p < 0.001) between the prevalence and proportion of species in the strongylid community was observed. The highest number of species (32) was found in young horses (1.5-4 years old); the lowest (17) - in old horses (>16 years). Foals (<1 year old) had significantly higher EPG value than older horses. The linear regression models of the strongyle egg counts (EPG) with three predictors: horse age (AGE), number of strongylids (SN), and type of farm (FARM) revealed significant effects of SN and FARM, but an effect of AGE was near the limit of significance. Horses from farms with rare or no anthelmintic treatments (type A) shed significantly more strongyle eggs than horses from farms with regular treatments; frequency of dewormings - 1-2 (type B) or 3-4 and more times per year (type C) did not have a significant impact on the EPG value. Thoroughbreds, Ukrainian Saddlers and Russian Racers had much higher EPG values comparing to non-breed horses.Analysis of the relation of age of the horses and structure of the strongylid communities revealed that foals (<1 year old) and old horses (>16 years old) were significantly less infected by large strongyles as compared to other horses. Species from the genus Triodontophorus and Strongylus vulgaris infected foals and young horses; whereas S. edentatus and S. equinus were registered in horses >1.5 years old. Differences in proportions of separate strongylid species in the community related to age were insignificant (p > 0.05). Frequency of anthelmintic treatments was found to affect horses infections with strongylids and strongylid community structure much more than intrinsic factors such as age and breed. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

SIZK) having the Ukrainian National Heritage status are reviewed.The history of their formation and importance for the development of fundamental and applied science are shown.They contain over 6.1 million conservation units forming 328 collections and almost 50000 animal species and holotypes of ca.1600 species and subspecies.The helminth collection contains 3000 species in 1 million conservation units (including types of 56 species).Invertebrates (except insects and arachnoids) are represented by several thousand species, including 80 type series.The acari collection contains over 700 species, almost 120 of them are represented by type specimens.The insect collection consisting of 46000 species is by far the largest one and contains more than 1400 holotypes.The collection of bernstain inclusions consists of 4043 examples containing more than 13000 arthropods (including over 150 type specimens) and plants.Collections preserved at the Institute also represent faunistic, anatomical, and morphological collections and genetically marked samples of vertebrates of various classes.Data on functioning of the zoological research funds at the international level are given.

Summary An extensive analysis of the relationship between age, sex, and different types of management strategies relative to the gastrointestinal parasite community of Polish primitive horses was performed on 124 horses maintained in nine farms from four regions of Poland. The horses (96 females and 28 males) were housed in three types of management strategies: stabled (ST), free-ranging (FR) and semi-free (SF). These horses also were divided into three age groups: <3 years, 3 – 10 years and >10 years old. The gastrointestinal parasites were collected following deworming of all horses with anthelmintics containing the macrocyclic lactones and praziquantel. Totally, 66,192 parasite specimens were collected and identified. The analysis of dependence of horse infection with intestinal nematodes using sex, age and management strategies demonstrated that females had significantly heavier infections of strongylids. Young horses (<3 years old) had higher infections of Parascaris equorum and Strongyloides westeri. Free ranging horses were more infected with strongylids, Oxyuris equi and Gasterophilus intestinalis. Thirty-five nematode species, one cestode and one species of the botfly larvae of Gasterophilus were found. Diagnostic deworming examination revealed presence of Parascaris equorum in 27.4 %, Oxyuris equi in 38.7 %, Habronema muscae in 16.9 %, Anoplocephala perfoliata in 42.7 % and Gasterophilus intestinalis in 46.8% in the Polish primitive horses examined. Strongyloides westeri presence was confirmed only by fecal samples examination; threadworms were not observed in these horses after deworming. In the strongylid community, 31 species (6 of subfamily Strongylinae and 25 of Cyathostominae) were found. Significant differences in prevalence of separate strongylid species, or their proportions in the communities were not observed between females and males, or between age groups (p > 0.05). The highest species diversity (n=30 or 31) was observed in the FR horses, the lowest (n=15) – in ST horses. The FR horses had higher prevalence and proportion of large strongyles in the community, in comparison to SF or ST horses (p < 0.05).

The study represents a biogeographic survey over world distribution of the entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) according to current borders of countries. The distribution of countries where entomopathogenic nematodes were presented including their belonging to biogeographic regions were analyzed. The World Geographical Scheme for Recording Plant Distributions and land area with using of the Bray-Curtis method of cluster analysis were also included. The analysis demonstrates simple of regularities in the EPN distribution. According to the analysis of published data, 120 species of EPN are presented in 72 countries that have the highest number of species in the Palaearctic and Oriental biogeographic regions. Presence of the EPN species in the studied countries and their belonging to the biogeographic regions was inherent for the distribution of countries in the calculated tree. The performed analysis revealed that countries grouped by regions and biogeographic botanical continents have similar fauna of the entomopathogenic nematodes. We assume that finding and character spreading of ENP species depend on the research level in different countries, as well as the biological characteristics of nematodes and certain conditions in different countries.

Abstract Steinernema arenarium isolate CH was prepared at 22 °C and used as a control in laboratory experiments on rearing in Galleria mellonella larvae at different temperatures (18 and 28 °C). Host dead bodies were examined every two days. All reared adult nematodes were fixed in alcohol and mounted on permanent slides with glycerin solution in distilled water. The basic morphometric parameters (L, W, ES, ABD (CBD), T, V) were measured, and statistical analysis was performed. Morphometric data in males and females of both generations were shown to significantly change depending on speed of growth and nutrients concentration. In both experimental groups, pygmy forms of adults were found.

Abstract Findings of Entomopathogenic Nematodes (Rhabditida, Steinernematidae) in Nature Reserves in-Ukraine. Yakovlev, Ye. B., Kharchenko, V. A., Mráček, Z. — Five strains of Steinernema Travassos, 1927 were isolated by live baiting method with last instar larvae of Tenebrio molitor Linnaeus, 1758 from the reserves of some central and southern oblasts of Ukraine and the Crimean AR. Entomopathogenic nematodes were recovered from 5 of 196 (2.6 %) soil samples collected in 2010. Isolated nematodes were identified using a combination of molecular (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA gene sequencing) and morphological techniques. Four of the isolated strains were recognized as S. feltiae (Filipjev, 1934), one as S. arenarium (Artyukhovsky, 1967).

Species composition and structure of strongylid (Nematoda: Strongylidae) community were examined in 15 plains zebras (Equus burchelli) and 8 Grevy’s zebra (Equus grevyi) kept in the “Askania-Nova” Biosphere Reserve (Ukraine). Strongylids were collected from zebras in vivo following deworming with the “Univerm” (0.2 % aversectin C, Russia). Twenty-two strongylid species (3 species of subfamily Strongylinae and 19 — of Cyathostominae) were found. In plains zebras, 21 strongylid species were found; from 3 to 14 species per host. In Grevy’s zebras, 18 strongylid species were recorded; from 4 to 14 species per host. Cyathostominae dominated in the communities of both zebra species; they composed more then 99 % of strongylid number. Comparison of strongylid biodiversity in plains zebras from the “Askania-Nova” reserve with data collected from four African countries showed low similarity of strongylid faunas in zebras from Ukraine and Africa; the strongylid community was similar to those of domestic ponies from the same area.

The aims of the study were to determine fecundity of several strongylid species parasitizing domestic horses and analyze possible relations between numbers of eggs in female uteri and size of both the eggs and the nematodes as well as the influence of fecundity on proportion of species in the strongylid community. Twenty-five specimens from each of 15 strongylid species (Strongylus vulgaris, Strongylus edentatus, Triodontophorus serratus, Triodontophorus brevicauda, Triodontophorus tenuicollis, Cyathostomum catinatum, Coronocyclus coronatus, Cylicocyclus nassatus, Cylicocyclus insigne, Cylicocyclus leptostomus, Cylicostephanus calicatus, Cylicostephanus goldi, Cylicostephanus longibursatus, Cylicostephanus minutus, and Poteriostomum imparidentatum) collected after necropsy were studied. The reproductive system was extracted from the female body; all eggs were removed, counted, and measured under a light microscope. Significant differences in number of eggs in female uteri of various strongylid species were observed (Kruskal–Wallis test, p < 0.001); the least numbers of eggs were registered in C. longibursatus (average = 49) and C. leptostomus (63) and the largest number in S. edentatus (5,918). Significant correlation between nematode body size and number of eggs was observed (p < 0.001). Correlation between size of eggs and body size was insignificant (Spearman R = 0.11, p = 0.70). Negative correlation was observed between number of eggs in female uteri and proportion of these species in strongylid community (Spearman R = −0.78, p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression of species proportion in the community on three predictors (number of eggs, body size, and egg size) was not significant (p > 0.05). However, the question on influence of fecundity on proportion of species in strongylid community needs further studies.