Endoparasites found in European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) hunted in Macedonia, Greece

Abstract

The European brown hare (Lepus europaeus) is widespread throughout Europe with population declines in some countries. Parasites can be one of the natural regulative factors of hare population. The information about the prevalence of endoparasites of European hares in Southern Europe is limited while relevant data from Greece are lacking. Gastrointestinal tracts of 84 Lepus europaeus, hunted in Macedonia, Greece, were examined for endoparasites. Sixty two (73.8 %) of the animals were parasitized by one or multiple parasitic species. Eimeria spp. was found in 54 (64.28 %) of the gastrointestinal tracts, Trichostrongylus retortaeformis in 42 (50 %), Trichuris leporis in 18 (21.42 %), Dicrocoelium dentriticum in 8 (9.52 %), Passalurus ambiguus in 4 (4.76 %) and Protostrongylus spp. in 2 (1.22 %). Moreover, Linguatula serrata larvae were found in 16 (19.04 %) animals and Dirofilaria scapiceps in one. Mixed infections were significantly more common than single infections. Although the parasites found do not represent a threat for other animal species, under certain conditions, they may play an important role in the health status of hares.