Scholarlink

Abstract <p>The grass snake <i>Natrix natrix</i> (Linnaeus, 1758) is a semiaquatic reptile species, most of which are encountered on the banks of water bodies. Widespread and numerous, <i>N. natrix</i> plays an important role in natural ecosystems, taking part in the circulation of many helminth species. We have conducted a comparative analysis of the helminth communities of the grass snakes from the semiaquatic habitats in the National Park “Smolny” (NP “Smolny”) (Republic of Mordovia) and assessed the impact of environmental factors on the helminth fauna of the reptile in the protected area. The material for this study was the collection of parasitic worms from 219 <i>N. natrix</i> individuals in 2018–2021 in 16 localities of the NP “Smolny”. The helminth communities of <i>N. natrix</i> include 17 species of parasites. Grass snakes from different habitats of the protected area differ in structure, composition of the helminth community, and parasite abundance. Only 3 species of parasites out of 17 recorded there are found in grass snakes in all 16 studied habitats. The structure and number of dominant and subdominant helminth species varies across the study sites. Reliable differences in the infection of snakes with helminths in different habitats of the NP “Smolny” are revealed. A comparative analysis of the <i>N. natrix</i> parasite community showed a significant similarity of the helminth fauna of the reptile in different habitats, which is due to similar biotic and abiotic conditions of aquatic and semiaquatic biocenoses of the protected area. The helminth fauna of grass snakes from the vicinities of floodplain water bodies is most represented. A decrease in the species diversity and abundance of helminths is revealed in <i>N. natrix</i> from banks of small rivers and streams, as well as in ponds of populated areas. The formation of the helminth community of the grass snake depends on the diversity and number of vertebrates and invertebrates in the biocenosis, as well as on the abiotic component of the habitat of reptiles—the hydrological conditions of the water bodies.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Ecological Analysis of Helminth Communities of the Grass Snake Natrix natrix (Reptilia, Colubridae) from the Semiaquatic Habitats of the National Park “Smolny” (European Russia)

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年8月1日

查看全文
  • A. A. Kirillov,
  • N. Yu. Kirillova,
  • A. B. Ruchin

摘要

Abstract

The grass snake Natrix natrix (Linnaeus, 1758) is a semiaquatic reptile species, most of which are encountered on the banks of water bodies. Widespread and numerous, N. natrix plays an important role in natural ecosystems, taking part in the circulation of many helminth species. We have conducted a comparative analysis of the helminth communities of the grass snakes from the semiaquatic habitats in the National Park “Smolny” (NP “Smolny”) (Republic of Mordovia) and assessed the impact of environmental factors on the helminth fauna of the reptile in the protected area. The material for this study was the collection of parasitic worms from 219 N. natrix individuals in 2018–2021 in 16 localities of the NP “Smolny”. The helminth communities of N. natrix include 17 species of parasites. Grass snakes from different habitats of the protected area differ in structure, composition of the helminth community, and parasite abundance. Only 3 species of parasites out of 17 recorded there are found in grass snakes in all 16 studied habitats. The structure and number of dominant and subdominant helminth species varies across the study sites. Reliable differences in the infection of snakes with helminths in different habitats of the NP “Smolny” are revealed. A comparative analysis of the N. natrix parasite community showed a significant similarity of the helminth fauna of the reptile in different habitats, which is due to similar biotic and abiotic conditions of aquatic and semiaquatic biocenoses of the protected area. The helminth fauna of grass snakes from the vicinities of floodplain water bodies is most represented. A decrease in the species diversity and abundance of helminths is revealed in N. natrix from banks of small rivers and streams, as well as in ponds of populated areas. The formation of the helminth community of the grass snake depends on the diversity and number of vertebrates and invertebrates in the biocenosis, as well as on the abiotic component of the habitat of reptiles—the hydrological conditions of the water bodies.