Publication details
Utilizing direct molecular methods for screening of invasive helminth species in wild ruminants in the Czech Republic
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| Year of publication | 2024 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
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| Description | In recent years, biological communities have undergone significant changes due to various factors such as globalization, climate change, and the increasing socio-economic activities of humans. These factors have led to the introduction of several non-native organisms to new habitats, which is also associated with the risk of co-introducing new parasitic species known as "biological hitchhikers". Those parasites that successfully adapt to new environments and sympatric host species and successfully reproduce and spread are classified as invasive. The primary objective of our research was to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the current prevalence of two invasive parasite species, specifically the haematophagous abomasal nematode Ashworthius sidemi and the giant liver fluke Fascioloides magna, and to uncover their impact on wild ruminant populations. For these purposes, faecal samples of wild ruminants were collected from various locations across the Czech Republic between 2022 and 2024. These included 306 samples of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) from 27 localities, 347 samples of red deer (Cervus elaphus) from 28 localities, 90 samples of fallow deer (Dama dama) from 10 localities, and 54 samples of mouflon (Ovis musimon) from 5 localities. To identify the selected parasite species at the molecular level, sensitive diagnostic methods based on real-time PCR with TaqMan probes were implemented for specific detection of their DNA directly in animal faeces. According to the findings, A. sidemi and F. magna are still present and spreading among ruminants in game reserves and hunting grounds in the Czech Republic. The red deer has been found to be a major carrier of an invasive nematode A. sidemi, which has been found in 89% of the areas where these animals were studied. Moreover, the giant liver fluke F. magna continues to pose a possible threat in the Central and South Bohemian Regions, particularly to domestic ruminants whose pastures may be contaminated by free-ranging game. |
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