Helminths in wetland birds of Baikal Siberia: taxonomic diversity and distribution by hosts

The final article on the helminths in wetland birds of Baikal Siberia presents an analysis of the taxonomic composition of these parasites and their distribution by hosts. The materials concerns 63 species of birds belonging to 7 orders: Anseriformes - 17 species, Gaviiformes - 2 species, Pelecaniformes - 1 species (Great cormorant), Ciconiiformes - 1 species (Gray heron), Podicipediformes - 3 species, Gruiformes - 1 species (Eurasian coot), Charadriiformes - 38 species. In total, we have identified 243 species of helminths from 4 classes, 47 families, 113 genera in wetland birds of Baikal Siberia. The taxonomically richest class is trematodes - 107 species distributed over 10 orders, 14 families, and 50 genera. The next is the class of cestodes, which have been represented by 94 species from 3 orders, 9 families and 42 genera. We have identified few nematodes - 36 species from 5 orders, 12 families and 18 genera, and far less acanthocephala - 5 species representing 1 order, 1 family, and 3 genera. The species composition of helminths is presented for all 63 species of birds. The lack of material for many species don’t not allow us to reveal the general picture of their infestation by helminths; we have received good results only for some species of ducks, grebes, waders and gulls.