Endoparasites of hares (Lepus timidus L. and L. europaeus Pallas) in Finland

Abstract

Intestinal and lung parasites of 85 mountain hares (Lepus timidus) and 24 European hares (L. europaeus) were examined. The species of parasites found in both hare species were Trichostrongylus retortaeformis Zeder, 1800; Mosgovoyia pectinata Goeze, 1782 and Protostrongylus pulmonalis Froelich, 1802. Eimeria semisculpta Madsen, 1938 and E. townsendi Carvalho, 1943 were found only in the European hares and Eimeria leporis Nieschulz, 1923 and Dicrocoelium dendriticum Rudolphi, 1819 only in the mountain hares. Ninety-five percent of the mountain hares and 88% of the European hares were infected with parasites. Mountain hares were more commonly infected with P. pulmonalis and D. dendriticum while European hares were more commonly infected with Eimeria spp. and T. retortaeformis. Young mountain hares were more often infected with M. pectinata and adult mountain hares with P. pulmonalis. The management technique of winter-feeding did not increase significantly the percentage of infected animals. Dicrocoelium dendriticum was found only in hares from islands where sheep had grazed during the summers. The absence of cysticerci of Taenia pisiformis Bloch, 1780 in this survey may be a reflection of improved hygiene practices instituted by hunters.