Helminthofauna of Pelophylax kl. esculentus (Linne, 1758) from Petrovaradinski Rit Marsh (Serbia)

The helminth fauna of lungs, small intestine, and rectum of 83 female specimens of Pelophylax kl. esculentus was investigated. Three helminth groups, Trematoda, Nematoda, and Acanthocephala were recorded. The sample was dominated by the class Trematoda. This class was represented by 8 adult and 2 larval species. Opisthioglyphe ranae and Pleurogenoides medians were the dominant fluke species. The data show the occurrence of Acanthocephalus ranae in frogs inhabiting Vojvodina Province.

The most frequent Nematoda was Oswaldocruzia filiformis. The greatest number of parasitic species and individuals was isolated from the small intestine. Infestation of individual parasitic groups was greater than that of mixed groups. The most frequent combination was T/N while analysed organs were most frequently invaded by a parasitic species only. Antagonism between genus Rhabdias and Haematoloechus and between species Aplectana acuminata and Opisthioglyphe ranae was ascertained.