Conservation of Host, Translocation of Parasites—Monitoring of Helminths during Population Reinforcement of the European Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus citellus)

Gastrointestinal helminth parasites can be transferred during conservation translocations and impact their outcome. The current study applied non-invasive coprological sampling to investigate the infection rates dynamics in translocated resident European ground squirrels, after a population reinforcement. FLOTAC method was calibrated for first time target species. In studied samples, eggs belonging Acanthocephala Nematoda were found; latter morphologically identified as families Capillariidae (Enoplida) Trichostrongylidae (Strongylida) superfamily Spiruroidea (Spirurida). overall prevalence diversity higher donor colony compared one before Pronounced seasonal parasite observed, values considerably lower spring than summer both hosts. A year start of translocation, number species detected reinforced had increased significantly. This is accordance with epidemiological models other empirical studies that predict positive relationship between density host richness parasites.