<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

The aim of this study was to investigate the difference in Fecal Egg Counts (FEC) with regard to group size, age, sex and body condition of wild free-roaming Przewalski’s horses in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (Ukraine), across different seasons, over a five-year period (2014 – 2018). We hypothesized that horses from larger group sizes would have higher faecal egg counts (FECs). The relationship between FECs and the year and season of sample collection, and age, sex and group size of the horses was analyzed. Generalized linear model using positive strongylid FEC`s as a variable response, was used to investigate the differences in FECs between the groups.
Nematode (Strondylidae, <italic>Parascaris</italic> spp., Habronematidae) and cestode (Anoplocephalidae) eggs were also identified. Stronglyids were the most prevalent helminth egg, and had the highest FECs.
The model for egg counts of strongylids showed that season and group size of horses were statistically significant. Presence of strongylid eggs was not dependent on age and sex of horses. We suggest that this could be a result of parasite transmission between individuals and groups in places were animals aggregate around water sources or collective farms.
Results obtained in this current study broaden the knowledge of gastrointestinal parasites in free-roaming horses under wild natural conditions.</abstract>

The aim of this study was to investigate the difference in Fecal Egg Counts (FEC) with regard to group size, age, sex and body condition of wild free-roaming Przewalski’s horses in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (Ukraine), across different seasons, over a five-year period (2014 – 2018). We hypothesized that horses from larger group sizes would have higher faecal egg counts (FECs). The relationship between FECs and the year and season of sample collection, and age, sex and group size of the horses was analyzed. Generalized linear model using positive strongylid FEC`s as a variable response, was used to investigate the differences in FECs between the groups.
Nematode (Strondylidae, Parascaris spp., Habronematidae) and cestode (Anoplocephalidae) eggs were also identified. Stronglyids were the most prevalent helminth egg, and had the highest FECs.
The model for egg counts of strongylids showed that season and group size of horses were statistically significant. Presence of strongylid eggs was not dependent on age and sex of horses. We suggest that this could be a result of parasite transmission between individuals and groups in places were animals aggregate around water sources or collective farms.
Results obtained in this current study broaden the knowledge of gastrointestinal parasites in free-roaming horses under wild natural conditions.

The effects of seasonality and group size on fecal egg counts in wild Przewalski’s horses (<italic>Equus ferus przewalskii</italic>, Poljakov, 1881) in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Ukraine during 2014 – 2018

Helminthologia

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

The effects of seasonality and group size on fecal egg counts in wild Przewalski’s horses (, Poljakov, 1881) in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Ukraine during 2014 – 2018

The aim of this study was to investigate the difference in Fecal Egg Counts (FEC) with regard to group size, age, sex and body condition of wild free-roaming...

The effects of seasonality and group size on fecal egg counts in wild Przewalski’s horses (Equus ferus przewalskii, Poljakov, 1881) in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Ukraine during 2014 – 2018

Article Category: Research Article

Published Online: Nov 19, 2020

Page range: 314 - 321

Received: Oct 22, 2019

Accepted: May 25, 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/helm-2020-0042

Keywords
gastrointestinal parasite, fecal egg counts, strongylids, Przewalski’s horse, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone

© 2020 K. Slivinska, D. Klich, N. Yasynetska, M. Żygowska, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

The effects of seasonality and group size on fecal egg counts in wild Przewalski’s horses (Equus ferus przewalskii, Poljakov, 1881) in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Ukraine during 2014 – 2018

Article Category: Research Article

Published Online: Nov 19, 2020

Page range: 314 - 321

Received: Oct 22, 2019

Accepted: May 25, 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/helm-2020-0042

Keywordsgastrointestinal parasite, fecal egg counts, strongylids, Przewalski’s horse, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone

© 2020 K. Slivinska, D. Klich, N. Yasynetska, M. Żygowska, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
gastrointestinal parasite, fecal egg counts, strongylids, Przewalski’s horse, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone