Comparative study of the intestinal strongylid communities of equidae in the Askania-Nova biosphere reserve, Ukraine

Comparative studies of the intestinal strongylid communities of 14 ponies, 6 donkeys and 9 zebras from the “Askania-Nova” Biosphere reserve (Ukraine) were carried out after deworming the hosts with aversectin drug. Faecal sampling (200 g each) was performed at 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 hours after treatment; all nematodes expelled were collected and identified. Thirty strongylid species from 12 genera were found; 7 species from the Strongylinae and 23 species from Cyathostominae. In ponies 27 species were found (range 8–23; mean 14 ± 3.8). In donkeys 23 species were found (range 11–15; mean 12 ± 1.3). Cyathostomum tetracanthum a species specific for donkeys was found for the first time in Ukraine. In zebras 17 species were found (range 2–13; mean 7 ± 3.6). The results obtained confirmed the specificity of the intestinal strongylid fauna of different equid species grazing on the same pastures in the “Askania-Nova” reserve.