Helminth fauna of rodents [Arvicolidae and Muridae] from the Kampinos National Park

Background. The aim of the study was to examine the parasite fauna of rodents living in natural environment, but in close contact with human seats (small village at the area of the natural big forest). Material and methods. 169 rodents from family Arvicolidae and Muridae were examined. The material comprised: Microtus arvalis -5 specimens, Mus musculus - 131, Apodemus silvaticus - 9, Apodemus flavicollis - 8, Apodemus agrarius – 14 and Micromys minutus - 2 specimens, collected between April 2003 and July 2004. Results. The examination of some internal organs (alimentary tract, liver, lungs, kidneys, heart, body cavity) revealed the occurence of 8 helminth species: 3 species of Cestoda (Paranoplocephala macrocephala, Hymenolepis diminuta, Taenia taeniaeformis) and 5 species of Nematoda (Heterakis spumosa, Aspiculuris tetraptera, Syphacia obvelata, Heligmosomoides polygyrum, Mastophorus muris), all in the alimentary tract (including liver). The helminth fauna of every rodent species was determined, as well as seasonal dynamics of their frequency. It was stated that only the species which realize the complex life cycle undergo some seasonal fluctuations of their abundance. Additionally the distribution of particular helminth species along the alimentary tract of their hosts was described