The First Data on Brain Parasites of the Genus Frenkelia(Protista: Coccidia) in some Small Rodent Species in Lithuania

All 560 individuals of small rodents belonging to six species of the families Cricetidae and Muridae were trapped in different habitats of various districts in Lithuania in 1995–2001. To determine Frenkeliainfection, brain samples were examined. Cysts of Frenkeliawere detected in the brain of three vole species only. The average rate of infection in bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) was 21.1%. With different localities the prevalence of Frenkeliainfection varied significantly (from 0.0% to 60.6%). Only one out of 35 root vole (Microtus oeconomus) and one out of 24 short-tailed vole (M. agrestis) individuals contained cysts. There were two Frenkeliaspecies established in voles: F. glareoliin C. glareolusand F. microtiin M. oeconomusand M. agrestis. All the 23 examined common vole (M. arvalis), 31 striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius) and 106 yellow-necked mouse (A. flavicollis) individuals were uninfected. These results turn to be the first contribution to the investigation of the Frenkeliafauna, its prevalence and distribution among certain mouselike rodent species in the Baltic States.