Diversity of Helminths of Reptiles (Serpentes and Lacertilia) in the Middle Volga Region (European Russia)

This paper presents an analysis of helminth diversity in reptiles in eight provinces of the Middle Volga region (European Russia) based on the dataset recently published in the GBIF as the Darwin Core Archive. The dataset contains up-to-date information on the occurrence of parasitic worms in lizard...

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Main Authors: Alexander A. Kirillov, Nadezhda Yu. Kirillova, Alexander B. Ruchin, Alexander I. Fayzulin, Sergei V. Shchenkov
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Diversity
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/17/6/380
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author Alexander A. Kirillov
Nadezhda Yu. Kirillova
Alexander B. Ruchin
Alexander I. Fayzulin
Sergei V. Shchenkov
author_facet Alexander A. Kirillov
Nadezhda Yu. Kirillova
Alexander B. Ruchin
Alexander I. Fayzulin
Sergei V. Shchenkov
author_sort Alexander A. Kirillov
collection DOAJ
description This paper presents an analysis of helminth diversity in reptiles in eight provinces of the Middle Volga region (European Russia) based on the dataset recently published in the GBIF as the Darwin Core Archive. The dataset contains up-to-date information on the occurrence of parasitic worms in lizards and snakes and summarizes the records obtained during long-term helminthological studies conducted in 1996–2024. It includes 8576 helminth occurrence records in nine reptile species inhabiting the Middle Volga region. All helminth occurrence records are georeferenced. In total, we present data on 45 parasitic worm species, including 4 species of cestodes, 21 species of trematodes, 16 species of nematodes, and 4 species of acanthocephalans. The richest helminth fauna was found in <i>Natrix natrix</i> (26 species), <i>Lacerta agilis</i> (21), <i>Natrix tessellata</i> (16), and <i>Vipera berus</i> (15). Less diverse is the helminth fauna in <i>Anguis colchica</i> (8 species), <i>Zootoca vivipara</i> (7), <i>Vipera renardi</i> (6), <i>Coronella austriaca</i> (5), and <i>Eremias arguta</i> (3). The diversity of helminths in reptiles of the Middle Volga region does not reach its maximum compared to other European countries. Most helminth species found in lizards and snakes of the studied region belong to the Palearctic faunal complex (25 species). Eight species of parasites have a Holarctic distribution. Seven helminth species parasitize reptiles only in Europe. Five species of parasites are cosmopolitan. Of the 45 species of helminths found in reptiles, 3 species have medical and veterinary significance as causative agents of dangerous helminthiasis. Data on the diversity and distribution of parasitic worms in reptiles of the Middle Volga region remain incomplete, so further observations may provide new occurrence records of helminths and expand the knowledge about their hosts.
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spelling doaj-art-ade07b575ec74b8486e9992e030f20e42025-08-20T02:24:38ZengMDPI AGDiversity1424-28182025-05-0117638010.3390/d17060380Diversity of Helminths of Reptiles (Serpentes and Lacertilia) in the Middle Volga Region (European Russia)Alexander A. Kirillov0Nadezhda Yu. Kirillova1Alexander B. Ruchin2Alexander I. Fayzulin3Sergei V. Shchenkov4Samara Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Ecology of Volga River Basin of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Togliatti 445003, RussiaSamara Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Ecology of Volga River Basin of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Togliatti 445003, RussiaJoint Directorate of the Mordovia State Nature Reserve and National Park “Smolny”, Saransk 430005, RussiaSamara Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Ecology of Volga River Basin of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Togliatti 445003, RussiaDepartment of Invertebrate Zoology, Saint Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, RussiaThis paper presents an analysis of helminth diversity in reptiles in eight provinces of the Middle Volga region (European Russia) based on the dataset recently published in the GBIF as the Darwin Core Archive. The dataset contains up-to-date information on the occurrence of parasitic worms in lizards and snakes and summarizes the records obtained during long-term helminthological studies conducted in 1996–2024. It includes 8576 helminth occurrence records in nine reptile species inhabiting the Middle Volga region. All helminth occurrence records are georeferenced. In total, we present data on 45 parasitic worm species, including 4 species of cestodes, 21 species of trematodes, 16 species of nematodes, and 4 species of acanthocephalans. The richest helminth fauna was found in <i>Natrix natrix</i> (26 species), <i>Lacerta agilis</i> (21), <i>Natrix tessellata</i> (16), and <i>Vipera berus</i> (15). Less diverse is the helminth fauna in <i>Anguis colchica</i> (8 species), <i>Zootoca vivipara</i> (7), <i>Vipera renardi</i> (6), <i>Coronella austriaca</i> (5), and <i>Eremias arguta</i> (3). The diversity of helminths in reptiles of the Middle Volga region does not reach its maximum compared to other European countries. Most helminth species found in lizards and snakes of the studied region belong to the Palearctic faunal complex (25 species). Eight species of parasites have a Holarctic distribution. Seven helminth species parasitize reptiles only in Europe. Five species of parasites are cosmopolitan. Of the 45 species of helminths found in reptiles, 3 species have medical and veterinary significance as causative agents of dangerous helminthiasis. Data on the diversity and distribution of parasitic worms in reptiles of the Middle Volga region remain incomplete, so further observations may provide new occurrence records of helminths and expand the knowledge about their hosts.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/17/6/380biodiversityparasitic wormsReptiliaoccurrence recordsTrematodaNematoda
spellingShingle Alexander A. Kirillov
Nadezhda Yu. Kirillova
Alexander B. Ruchin
Alexander I. Fayzulin
Sergei V. Shchenkov
Diversity of Helminths of Reptiles (Serpentes and Lacertilia) in the Middle Volga Region (European Russia)
Diversity
biodiversity
parasitic worms
Reptilia
occurrence records
Trematoda
Nematoda
title Diversity of Helminths of Reptiles (Serpentes and Lacertilia) in the Middle Volga Region (European Russia)
title_full Diversity of Helminths of Reptiles (Serpentes and Lacertilia) in the Middle Volga Region (European Russia)
title_fullStr Diversity of Helminths of Reptiles (Serpentes and Lacertilia) in the Middle Volga Region (European Russia)
title_full_unstemmed Diversity of Helminths of Reptiles (Serpentes and Lacertilia) in the Middle Volga Region (European Russia)
title_short Diversity of Helminths of Reptiles (Serpentes and Lacertilia) in the Middle Volga Region (European Russia)
title_sort diversity of helminths of reptiles serpentes and lacertilia in the middle volga region european russia
topic biodiversity
parasitic worms
Reptilia
occurrence records
Trematoda
Nematoda
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/17/6/380
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