Stichorchis subtriquetrus in two beavers (Castor fiber) from Slovenia

Abstract

Intestines of two beavers (Castor fiber), one killed by a car accident and one drowned were examined for parasites. Examination revealed the presence of 1 and 14 adult trematodes, Stichorchis subtriquetrus in the caecum and colon, respectively. The flotation method revealed no ova from faecal material. The European beaver was present in the territory of Slovenia until the beginning of the 18th century. Recently, in 1998, the species reappeared in southeast of Slovenia as a result of the reintroduction of European beaver in Croatia. This is the first report of veterinary examination of beaver and the first evidence of S. subtriquetrus in Slovenia. © 2009 Versita Warsaw and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.