<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Three Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) originating from Pazardzhik Region (South Bulgaria) were examined for helminth parasites. Three species of acanthocephalans were recorded: Pomphorhynchus laevis, Acanthocephalus anguillae and A. ranae. These species are not specific parasites of otters, the former two occurring in various freshwater fishes and the latter being a parasite of anurans. A review of acanthocephalan species recorded from L. lutra is presented. The possible transmission routes by which otters become infested with acanthocephalans are considered to be either paratenic transfer of encysted extra-intestinal juveniles in paratenic hosts or postcyclic transmission of mature intestinal worms in definitive hosts.</p></abstract>

Three Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) originating from Pazardzhik Region (South Bulgaria) were examined for helminth parasites. Three species of acanthocephalans were recorded: Pomphorhynchus laevis, Acanthocephalus anguillae and A. ranae. These species are not specific parasites of otters, the former two occurring in various freshwater fishes and the latter being a parasite of anurans. A review of acanthocephalan species recorded from L. lutra is presented. The possible transmission routes by which otters become infested with acanthocephalans are considered to be either paratenic transfer of encysted extra-intestinal juveniles in paratenic hosts or postcyclic transmission of mature intestinal worms in definitive hosts.

Occurrence of acanthocephalans in the Eurasian otter Lutra lutra (L.) (Carnivora, Mustelidae) in Bulgaria, with a survey of acanthocephalans recorded from this host species

Department of Biology, Faculty of Agriculture, Thracian University, Student Campus, 6000, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria

National Station of Game Biology and Pathology, 5 Iskarsko Shose, 1528, Sofia, Bulgaria

Helminthologia

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Three Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) originating from Pazardzhik Region (South Bulgaria) were examined for helminth parasites. Three species of acanthocephalans...

Occurrence of acanthocephalans in the Eurasian otter Lutra lutra (L.) (Carnivora, Mustelidae) in Bulgaria, with a survey of acanthocephalans recorded from this host species

Published Online: Mar 02, 2008

Page range: 41 - 47

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/s11687-008-0007-2

Keywords
Acanthocephala, Eurasian otter, Bulgaria

© 2008 Institute of Parasitology, SAS, Košice, Slovakia

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Occurrence of acanthocephalans in the Eurasian otter Lutra lutra (L.) (Carnivora, Mustelidae) in Bulgaria, with a survey of acanthocephalans recorded from this host species

Published Online: Mar 02, 2008

Page range: 41 - 47

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/s11687-008-0007-2

KeywordsAcanthocephala, Eurasian otter, Bulgaria

© 2008 Institute of Parasitology, SAS, Košice, Slovakia

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
Acanthocephala, Eurasian otter, Bulgaria