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This work presents an ecological analysis of the community and biodiversity of helminths of the Pool Frog Pelophylax lessonae (Camerano, 1882) from floodplain and forest reservoirs of the European part of Russia. The material for the work was personal collections of helminths made from 2018–2021 in the National Park "Smolny" (Republic of Mordovia). Two hundred and thirty-five amphibian specimens were examined from nine reservoirs and three types of hydrobiocoenoses: (1) floodplains of a medium-sized river (in terms of catchment area); (2) floodplains of a small river; (3) a number of isolated forest reservoirs. Twenty-four species of helminths have been registered: Trematoda (20) and Chromadorea (4). Similar features (common species of trematodes and nematodes) were determined as well as differences in the composition and structure of the helminth fauna, the level of infestation by individual species and groups of helminths, diversity, and community structure. Amphibians of the river floodplain have a richer helminth fauna, they are more infected with a large number of helminths, and their community is more complex. Amphibians of isolated forest ponds, on the contrary, have fewer helminths, they are generally less infected, and their community is simplified (reduced). Having intermediate indicators of composition, structure, and degree of infestation, frogs from the forest floodplain of the small river—differ in the most diverse and maximally evenness community of helminths. The results of the study demonstrate the influence of biotopic factors on the formation of an amphibian helminth community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Analysis and comparison of the helminth assemblages in Antarctic rockcod Notothenia coriiceps collected near the UAS "Akademik Vernadsky" (Argentine Islands, West Antarctica) in 2002 and 2014–2015 were performed to characterise the parasite community and investigate the temporal changes in helminth assemblages and infection parameters. Methods: All specimens of N. coriiceps (n = 194) were caught at depths of 10–30 m. Parasites (22,856 helminth specimens and 15,057 cysts) were collected manually and identified based on their morphology. Statistical analysis of the quantitative data was performed using the Quantitative Parasitology 3.0 (QP 3.0), Paleontological Statistics (PAST v. 3.1), and PRIMER 6 software. Results: Twenty-seven species of four taxonomic groups were recorded: trematodes (8 species), cestodes (4), nematodes (5), and acanthocephalans (10). Helminth samples collected in 2002 and 2014–2015 showed a rather high similarity in species composition. The species richness was higher in the sample collected in 2014–2015, while the evenness and diversity in the two samples were similar. The dissimilarity between helminth infracommunities in the two samples appeared to be statistically significant. Larval cestodes Diphyllobotrium sp., the acanthocephalan Metacanthocephalus rennicki, and the trematode Neoleoburia antarctica were found to make the most significant impact on the dissimilarity. Conclusions: The analysis of the composition and structure of helminth community in N. coriiceps revealed the changes that have happened during the last decade. At least some of the changes are attributed to the changes in marine ecosystems in Western Antarctica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The Antarctic dragonfish, Parachaenichthys charcoti is a notothenioid teleost fish endemic to the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica. It is a relatively rare fish species; therefore, published data on the parasite communities of P. charcoti are limited. The present study was performed on the Ukrainian Antarctic Station "Akademik Vernadsky", Argentine Islands, West Antarctica and the purpose was to examine the species diversity of the parasites of P. charcoti and to identify the parameters of helminth infection and helminth component community. Methods: Fifteen specimens of P. charcoti were caught at a depth of 10–30 m and examined using standard parasitological techniques. All helminths (6251 specimens) were collected manually, fixed in 70% ethanol and identified based on their morphology. Results: All examined specimens of P. charcoti were found to be infected with helminths; each fish harboured 10–20 helminth species (mean 13.2; median 13) and 237–804 helminth specimens (mean 417; median 401). Twenty-seven helminth species were found, including nine species of trematodes, 4 of cestodes, 4 of nematodes and 10 of acanthocephalans. P. charcoti is the definitive host for 11 out of 27 helminth species recorded. In the helminth component community, the diversity indices were 2.03 (Shannon's index) and 0.79 (Simpson's index); Pielou evenness index was 0.61, and Berger–Parker dominance index was 0.38. Conclusions: Our results indicate a high species diversity and complex structure of the helminth community in Antarctic dragonfish P. charcoti in the Argentine Islands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study is made an ecological analysis of the species composition, structure of the helminth community and the invasion degree of Bufo bufo in different habitats in the National Park «Smolny» (Republic of Mordovia, Russia). In 2018–2019, they were collected in five biotopes with different spawning water bodies. Nine helminth species were found, including five Trematoda species and four Chromadorea (Nematoda) species. There are two groups of species. The first of them develops on terrestrial nematodes Rhabdias bufonis, Oswaldocruzia filiformis, Oxysomatium brevicaudatum, rather common, regardless of the habitat, with a high degree of invasion and dominating in the helminth community. The species of the second group develop in aquatic nematode Cosmocerca ornata, as well as trematodes which are rarer, locally and with a low infection rate. They are typical parasites of green frogs (genus Pelophylax). The diversity of helminthes and the structure of their component community depend on the type, nature of the spawning water body and the presence of green frogs. Individuals of B. bufo, spawning in stagnant water bodies where green frogs live, have a more diverse helminth species composition, because there are helminths of the second group, whose development is related to the aquatic environment. The structure of their community is more complex. Bufo bufo, when using flowing water bodies without green frogs for spawning, has a depleted helminth composition and a simplified structure of their community. The obtained results have demonstrated the influence of one allotopic amphibian species on the formation of helminth community of another species under conditions of temporary syntopic occurrence.

This work presents an ecological analysis of the community and biodiversity of helminths of Pelophylax lessonae (Camerano, 1882) from floodplain and forest reservoirs of the European part of Russia. The material for the work was personal collections of helminths made from 2018–2021 in the National Park “Smolny” (Republic of Mordovia). Two hundred and thirty-five amphibian specimens were examined from nine reservoirs and three types of hydrobiocoenoses: (1) floodplains of a medium-sized river (in terms of catchment area); (2) floodplains of a small river; (3) a number of isolated forest reservoirs. Twenty-four species of helminths have been registered: Trematoda (20) and Chromadorea (4). Similar features (common species of trematodes and nematodes) were determined as well as differences in the composition and structure of the helminth fauna, the level of infestation by individual species and groups of helminths, diversity, and community structure. Amphibians of the river floodplain have a richer helminth fauna, they are more infected with a large number of helminths, and their community is more complex. Amphibians of isolated forest ponds, on the contrary, have fewer helminths, they are generally less infected, and their community is simplified (reduced). Having intermediate indicators of composition, structure, and degree of infestation, frogs from the forest floodplain of the small river—differ in the most diverse and maximally evenness community of helminths. The results of the study demonstrate the influence of biotopic factors on the formation of an amphibian helminth community.

Populations of northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus; hereafter bobwhite) have been declining across their geographic range in North America, prompting consideration of the role parasites may play. We conducted this study to learn about the helminth fauna in South Texas, a region that supports a sustainable bobwhite population. Helminths were examined from 356 bobwhites collected during the 2014–2015 (n = 124) and 2015–2016 (n = 232) hunting seasons, when increasing trends in precipitation were observed in comparison with the previous two years. Ten helminth species were found, consisting of 14,127 individuals. Of these, all are heteroxenous parasites and three are pathogenic (Dispharynx nasuta, Tetrameres pattersoni and Oxyspirura petrowi). Aulonocephalus pennula numerically dominated the component community (81% prevalence, 99% of the total helminths found), whereas each of the remaining species occurred rarely (≤9% prevalence) and contributed few individuals (≤0.4%) to the helminth community. Prevalence and abundance of A. pennula were not influenced by host age, sex or body mass, but abundance was higher during the 2014–2015 than the 2015–2016 hunting season. Our findings indicate that the helminth community in bobwhites from South Texas can vary during long-term, highly variable precipitation conditions and these communities are more similar to those found in the Rolling Plains of Texas than those found in the eastern part of the bobwhite's geographic range in the US. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of helminths of the wood mouse, Apodemus sylvaticus, as biological indicators of the post-fire regeneration process in Serra Calderona Natural Park, a Mediterranean forest ecosystem located between the provinces of València and Castelló (Valencian Country, Spain), has been analysed for almost twenty years. The helminth ecological analysis of 917 A. sylvaticus (675 originating from the burned area and 242 originating from the control area) has been carried out between the 2nd and 18th post-fire years. The influence of intrinsic (host population density, sex and age) and extrinsic (site, period and year of capture, climate variables) factors on the post-fire evolution of the helminth community of the wood mouse, and the biodiversity, species richness and life cycle of the helminth species was studied. Taking into account the most important results obtained, various aspects of the helminth community dynamics of the wood mouse are confirmed as biological indicators of the post-fire regeneration process in Mediterranean ecosystems. The still existing differences between the two areas are mainly related to the influence of climate variables on the post-fire regeneration process. Moreover, the important role that helminth parasites of the wood mouse play as biological indicators of this process in Mediterranean ecosystems is demonstrated.

The Lusitanian pine vole, Microtus lusitanicus, an endemic fossorial rodent of the Iberian Peninsula, has a burrowing behaviour and prefers to live underground. It feeds on bark and roots causing severe damage to trees. In Asturias (NW Spain), where M. lusitanicus is considered a pest in several orchards, a faunistic-ecological study was carried out to describe the helminth community of this species and the main factors that could influence its helminth component species. For this purpose, our own collection of 710 voles from several orchards of various locations in Asturias was used. Eight helminth species, four cestodes and four nematodes, were found. Statistical non-parametric tests were used to analyse the effects of extrinsic and intrinsic factors on the diversity of the helminth community and species prevalence and abundance. The results show the influence of climate variables, the year and season of capture, as well as host age, on the diversity of the helminth community and the infection parameters of some helminth species, underlining the importance of their life cycles. In addition to shedding light on the helminth community of this rodent in Asturias, the results obtained could be used to improve the biological methods applied to fight the M. lusitanicus pest.

Abstract Anthropogenic ecosystem modification has affected over 80% of the global land cover. Interest in its effects on wildlife has been growing over the past several decades, specifically in regard to biodiversity and ecosystem function. Parasites are of particular interest, because they directly impact animal health, and can be transmitted to humans through the process of zoonosis. However, most studies so far tended to focus on only one or two parasites with few looking at the entire community, thereby limiting our understanding of the effects of ecosystem modification on parasitic organisms. In this study, we estimated the intestinal helminth diversity and species richness of the large Japanese field mouse (Apodemus speciosus), as well as the prevalence and abundance of each species in two modified ecosystems, a rural agricultural area and an urban park. We then compared them to a natural area to see how they have been altered. We found that diversity, prevalence, and abundance were all highly altered within both modified ecosystems, but generally to a greater degree within the urban park. However, there was great variation in the direction and degree of response of each helminth species, suggesting that generalized trends may be difficult to ascertain. Furthermore, it is important to analyze the entire helminth community, because interspecific interactions and the effect that ecosystem modification has on them may help determine what species persist. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • Helminth community was compared between two modified ecosystems and a natural area. • Diversity, prevalence, and intensity were highly altered in modified ecosystems. • The response of each helminth species to ecosystem modification varied greatly. • Interaction between helminths may affect their response to eco-modification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information about the prevalence of helminth parasites of the yellow-necked mouse, Apodemus flavicollis, in the Iberian Peninsula is almost non-existent and there is no reliable data reported from Spain. Fourteen A. flavicollis from the Erro River valley (Navarre, Spain) were examined for endoparasites, between February 2001 and July 2002. Thirteen specimens (92.9 %) of the total sample were parasitized by at least one of the following six helminth species: one trematode (Corrigia vitta), one cestode (Taenia parva larvae) and four nematodes (Trichuris muris, Calodium hepaticum, Heligmosomoides polygyrus and Syphacia stroma). This is the first report about the helminthfauna of A. flavicollis in the Iberian Peninsula. Nevertheless, a larger number of hosts should be analysed to complete these preliminary results and to adequately characterize the helminth community of this rodent. The finding of C. hepaticum, the causative agent of human capillarosis, stands out.

The growing human population and the development of urban areas have led to fragmentation and destruction of many natural habitats but have also created new urban habitats. These environmental changes have had a negative impact on many species of plants and animals, including parasite communities. The aim of present study was to compare the helminth communities of Apodemus flavicollis and Apodemus agrarius in natural and urban habitats. Helminth burdens were assessed in 124 mice, 48 A. flavicollis, and 76 A. agrarius from two managed forests close to the city boundaries and two city parks within Warsaw, Central Poland. In total, eight species of helminths, Nematoda ( n = 3), Digenea ( n = 2), and Cestoda ( n = 3), were identified. Helminth community structure and prevalence/abundance of individual helminth species differed significantly between the two Apodemus species. Overall, prevalence and abundance of helminth species were significantly higher in A. agrarius compared to A. flavicollis. For A. flavicollis, higher prevalence and abundance of helminths were detected in individuals from managed forest habitats in comparison to city parks. In striped field mice, much higher prevalence and mean abundance were recorded in rodents trapped in city parks than in managed forests. This phenomenon may be explained by better adaptation of A. agrarius, compared to A. flavicollis, to city habitats, resulting in high local densities of mice and the full range of parasite species affecting this host species. Our data confirm also that the established routes of infection exist for selected helminth species in the urban environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study describes the diversity of helminth parasites of Rhinella major (Anura: Bufonidae) in relation to their body size in 4 subhumid vs. semiarid sampling sites from the Argentine Chaco region. Helminths were found in 81% of the specimens examined (n = 85). Fifteen species (13 in subhumid and 7 in semiarid areas) of helminth parasites were found, and most of them were nematodes. Parasites were found in all the examined organs, with highest prevalence and intensity in the digestive tract. Parasite transmission to the toad host occurs by skin penetration or oral ingestion. Maximum helminth richness ranged between 2 and 4 species per infected toad. The most abundant species was Aplectana hylambatis. Body size of the host was the main factor in determining parasite richness. The helminth parasite fauna was rather different in hosts from subhumid vs. semiarid sites, but the dominant (Aplectana hylambatis) and codominant species (Cylindrotaenia sp. and Rhabdias elegans) were the same. Mean species richness and mean species diversity of helminths were significantly different between the zones. These results suggest that the amount of rainfall and associated humidity affects the distribution and development of the parasite fauna of this toad. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study was to evaluate the relative influence of terrestrial habits, season, and host body size on the species richness and abundance of helminth parasites in the toad Melanophryniscus klappenbachi, for which a greater abundance of nematode parasites was expected. A total of 90 toads were collected in the Chaco Province, Argentina. The helminth community found in infected toads included 17 taxa and was dominated particularly by larval parasites. Contrary to our expectations, nematode species showed lower values of infection parameters. Infected toads harbored a maximum of seven species, and the mean helminth richness was 3.16 ± 1.66 species per infected toads. Season played a significant effect on determining the species richness and abundance of the parasite infracommunity. Similarly, the prevalence of infection of several helminth species (8/47 %) varied greatly over time. Host body size was the main factor in determining the infrapopulation structure of helminth parasites. Species richness was significantly and negatively correlated with host body size. Strong associations were observed mainly between larvae of some species. The transmission strategies of parasites suggest that this bufonid acquires infections through direct contact with larval parasites from aquatic and terrestrial habitats and by ingestion of infective larvae. The characteristic of the host tegument, such as the presence of alkaloids, could significantly contribute to the low occurrence of infection by skin-penetrating nematodes. Results also showed that diets and mobility of the host and the local microhabitat conditions play an important role in parasitic infections of toads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diet and helminth fauna were analysed in the lizardGallotia atlantica(Squamata: Lacertidae), the smallest species of this genus endemic to Lanzarote and Fuerteventura (Canary Islands), in an attempt to confirm previous claims of relationships between these ecological traits in this genus. A total of 70 lizards belonging to the subspeciesatlantica(central southern Lanzarote),laurae(northern Lanzarote) andmahoratae(Fuerteventura) were examined. Compared with otherGallotia, the helminth fauna was impoverished, particularly in Fuerteventura, where the absence of larval cestodes suggests low predation pressure. Diet was omnivorous, the plant fraction (73.03–84.26%) included seeds and fruits while the animal fraction was quite diverse, at least in Lanzarote. Contrary to otherGallotia, the intestinal Pharyngodonidae nematodes were all typical of carnivorous reptiles. An individual association between the complexities of helminth communities and diet reinforces previous findings in otherGallotiaspecies suggesting functional relationships between parasites and prey items inside the digestive tract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article analyzes the helminth community of O. bonariensis in two lagoons from Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. The fish sites were sampled in 2 sites namely the Salada Grande lagoon (SGL), General Lavalle and the Lacombe lagoon, Lezama in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Five species found in both lagoons include C. macdonaghi, Wolffhugelia matercula and Contracaecum sp. while species found exclusively in SGL include Thometrema bonariensis, Saccocoeliodes sp. and Ascocotyele sp. It cites the occurrence of cumulative infection processes which explain the increasing number of helminths throughout the life cycle of silversides.

The article examines six species of the genus Anolis for metazoan endoparasites, updates the helminth list for 7 species and reviews the helminth community of Central American anoles. The survey involves 426 anole lizard specimens from 13 species of the genus, and yields 55 new host records and 3 new locality records. It concludes that the component helminth community of Central American anoles is distinct from that reported for Caribbean, Mexican and North and South American anole populations.

The article evaluates the consistency of the species composition and richness of the helminth communities of adult yellowfin snook collected from Coastal Lagoons in Guerrero, Mexico. Monogenea, Digenea, Acanthocephala, and Nematoda are the species of helminth that were identified. A table showing the infection parameters for helminths, with different measurements of prevalence and abundance is presented. Characteristics of the component communities and infracommunities are discussed.

The article discusses a study which investigated the influence of season, year of study, host body size and host sex on the abundance of helminth species parasitic in the frog Scinax nasicus. The study included 273 frogs collected December 2004 and November 2006 in Corrientes City, Province of Corrientes, Argentina. Study authors found that host sex and season have no significant effect on infracommunity parasite species abundance. They added that the occurrence of parasites Opisthoffonimus sp. 2 and Travtrema aff. stenocotyle vary over time, with host body size being the main factor for determining infrapopulation structure of Centrorhynchus sp.

The helminths of two sympatric species of rodents, the striped field mouse Apodemus agrarius and the yellow-necked mouse, Apodemus flavicollis from Slovakia were studied to determine whether there are similarities in the composition of the helminth fauna of two closely related host species living in the same area. A total of twelve species of helminths were identified in these rodent populations, including Brachylaima sp. (Trematoda); Hymenolepis diminuta (Rudolphi, 1819), Mesocestoides sp. larvae, Rodentolepis fraterna (Stiles, 1906), Rodentolepis straminea (Goeze, 1782), Skrjabinotaenia lobata (Baer, 1925), Taenia taeniaeformis larvae (Batsch, 1786) (Cestoda); Aonchotheca annulosa (Dujardin, 1845), Heligmosomoides polygyrus (Dujardin, 1845), Heterakis spumosa Schneider, 1866, Mastophorus muris (Gmelin, 1790) and Syphacia stroma (Linstow, 1884) (Nematoda). In A. agrarius, H. polygyrus was the most prevalent, as well as the most abundant helminth, but R. fraterna was the species with the highest mean intensity. In contrast, S. stroma dominated the A. flavicollis helminth fauna with the highest prevalence, mean abundance and mean intensity. Both rodent populations harboured nine helminth species, although the mean individual species richness was significantly higher in A. agrarius than in A. flavicollis. The analysis of helminth diversity at both component and infracommunity levels revealed differences between the two rodent populations, which are most likely attributable to the specific host ecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We investigated the factors providing structure to the helminth communities of 182 loggerhead sea turtles, Caretta caretta, collected in 6 localities from Central and Western Mediterranean. Fifteen helminth taxa (10 digeneans, 4 nematodes and 1 acanthocephalan) were identified, of which 12 were specialist to marine turtles; very low numbers of immature individuals of 3 species typical from fish or cetaceans were also found. These observations confirm the hypothesis that phylogenetic factors restrict community composition to helminth species specific to marine turtles. There were significant community dissimilarities between turtles from different localities, the overall pattern being compatible with the hypothesis that parasite communities reflect the ontogenetic shift that juvenile loggerheads undergo from oceanic to neritic habitats. The smallest turtles at the putative oceanic, pelagic-feeding stage harboured only the 2 digenean species that were regionally the most frequent, i.e. Enodiotrema megachondrus and Calycodes anthos; the largest turtles at the putative neritic, bottom-feeding stage harboured 11 helminth taxa, including 3 nematode species that were rare or absent in turtles that fed partially on pelagic prey. Mean species richness per host was low (range: 1.60–1.89) and did not differ between localities. Variance ratio tests indicated independent colonization of each helminth species. Both features are expected in ectothermic and vagrant hosts living in the marine environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The Lusitanian pine vole is an endemic rodent of the Iberian Peninsula, which has a burrowing behaviour and prefers to live underground. It feeds on bark and roots causing severe damage to trees. In Asturias (NW Spain), this species is considered a pest causing economic losses in apple orchards, damaging the tree, and sometimes even causing its death. With the aim to shed light on the helminth community of this rodent pest species and to elucidate which intrinsic and extrinsic factors affect its helminth species, a faunistic-ecological study was carried out. For this purpose, our own collection of 710 voles from several orchards of various locations in Asturias was used. The results of the ecological study revealed the influence of climate variables, the year and season of capture, as well as the host age, on the diversity of the helminth community and the infection parameters of helminth species, underlining the importance of their life cycles. Our findings on the helminth community of the Lusitanian pine vole in Asturias could be used to improve the biological methods applied to control the population of this rodent pest. The Lusitanian pine vole, Microtus lusitanicus, an endemic fossorial rodent of the Iberian Peninsula, has a burrowing behaviour and prefers to live underground. It feeds on bark and roots causing severe damage to trees. In Asturias (NW Spain), where M. lusitanicus is considered a pest in several orchards, a faunistic-ecological study was carried out to describe the helminth community of this species and the main factors that could influence its helminth component species. For this purpose, our own collection of 710 voles from several orchards of various locations in Asturias was used. Eight helminth species, four cestodes and four nematodes, were found. Statistical non-parametric tests were used to analyse the effects of extrinsic and intrinsic factors on the diversity of the helminth community and species prevalence and abundance. The results show the influence of climate variables, the year and season of capture, as well as host age, on the diversity of the helminth community and the infection parameters of some helminth species, underlining the importance of their life cycles. In addition to shedding light on the helminth community of this rodent in Asturias, the results obtained could be used to improve the biological methods applied to fight the M. lusitanicus pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Diet and helminth fauna were analysed in Gallotia caesaris, a small lacertid lizard endemic to El Hierro (Canary Islands, Spain) in order to study the evolutionary and functional relationships between the two traits. This species is omnivorous but consumed a high proportion (82.13%) of plant matter including not only seeds but also leaves and other vegetative parts. Helminth fauna included many helminth species typical of herbivorous reptiles. Both herbivory and helminth presence were higher than expected for a lizard of its size. Comparison with other lacertids suggests that both traits result from an adaptation to insular conditions but that some “evolutionary time” to develop them is needed. Canarian Gallotia lizards, a separate lineage evolving for a long time in insularity, constitutes the most advanced lacertid group in this way. Nevertheless, results for G. caesaris indicate that helminth fauna also changes seasonally tracking variation in diet (and herbivory) throughout the year, which suggests a dynamic interaction between diet and helminth parasites. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Simple Summary: After a wildfire, especially in Mediterranean ecosystems, the vegetation starts to recover gradually but appears regenerated after a decade. However, the study of helminth parasites of the wood mouse, the most important post-fire recolonizer mammal in the western Mediterranean forests, allowed us to elucidate the reality of this process more accurately, mainly due to the, sometimes complex, life cycles of the helminths using other hosts (vertebrates and invertebrates) to complete them. Thus, the comparative analysis of various aspects (biodiversity and kinds of life cycles) of the helminth community of the wood mouse, as well as the influence of some external factors (related to the environment and its periodical post-fire regeneration) and internal factors (related to the population of the wood mouse), between the burned area and a non-burned area used as control, reveals the biological indicators (indicators of the situation/evolution of a process) of the post-fire regeneration process and its true state. The current study confirms the important role of the helminths of the wood mouse as biological indicators and the influence that climate variables exercise on the quality and evolution of the post-fire regeneration process in Mediterranean ecosystems. The role of helminths of the wood mouse, Apodemus sylvaticus, as biological indicators of the post-fire regeneration process in Serra Calderona Natural Park, a Mediterranean forest ecosystem located between the provinces of València and Castelló (Valencian Country, Spain), has been analysed for almost twenty years. The helminth ecological analysis of 917 A. sylvaticus (675 originating from the burned area and 242 originating from the control area) has been carried out between the 2nd and 18th post-fire years. The influence of intrinsic (host population density, sex and age) and extrinsic (site, period and year of capture, climate variables) factors on the post-fire evolution of the helminth community of the wood mouse, and the biodiversity, species richness and life cycle of the helminth species was studied. Taking into account the most important results obtained, various aspects of the helminth community dynamics of the wood mouse are confirmed as biological indicators of the post-fire regeneration process in Mediterranean ecosystems. The still existing differences between the two areas are mainly related to the influence of climate variables on the post-fire regeneration process. Moreover, the important role that helminth parasites of the wood mouse play as biological indicators of this process in Mediterranean ecosystems is demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The Etruscan shrew, Suncus etruscus, is the smallest living mammal on Earth. Its minute size (most adults weigh 1.8–3 g with a body length of 35–48 mm) makes it extremely difficult to catch in small mammal traps. The French scientist Dr Roger Fons (1946–2016) developed a particular trapping method which allowed him to assemble the largest collection of S. etruscus in the world. We had the unique opportunity of studying, for the first time, the helminth community of a total of 166 individuals of the Etruscan shrew. We found six cestode species, specifically, two extraintestinal larvae, and four intestinal adult tapeworms, as well as one adult nematode species in the stomach and several nematode larvae. Neither trematode nor acanthocephalan species were detected. Approximately 50% of the individuals harbored tapeworms presenting a two-host life cycle with arthropods as intermediate hosts, a fact that is consistent with its insectivorous diet. The adult helminth community found is highly specific of this shrew whose numerous physiological adaptations due to its small size have probably influenced its helminth spectrum as well as its helminth specificity. Suncus etruscus is the smallest living mammal on Earth by mass. Most adults weigh 1.8–3 g with a body length of 35–48 mm. Catching it in small mammal traps in nature is extremely difficult due to its minute size, and therefore special trapping methods must be used. We had the unique opportunity of studying, for the first time, the helminth parasites of 166 individuals of S. etruscus, part of the largest collection in the world, which belonged to the French scientist Dr Roger Fons (1942–2016). A total of 150 individuals were captured in the Banyuls-Cerbère area (France) and 16 in the island of Corsica (France). We found seven helminth species, specifically, the cestodes Joyeuxiella pasqualei larvae, Mesocestoides sp. larvae, Staphylocystis claudevaucheri, S. banyulsensis, S. cerberensis, and Pseudhymenolepis sp., and the nematodes Aonchotheca sp. and Nematoda gen. sp. larvae. Neither trematodes nor acanthocephalans were detected. We provide prevalences, infracommunity compositions, and helminth associations. The adult helminth community of S. etruscus seems to be highly specific, i.e., oioxenous, and linked to its insectivore diet. Due to its small size, S. etruscus has undergone numerous physiological adaptations that have probably influenced its helminth spectrum as well as its helminth specificity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]