| Popis: |
The distribution of Hepatozoon from anurans, specifically frogs, and their host-parasite relationship are of great interest. Due to the specifics of frogs’ ontogeny, they form a link between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. These amphibians are important in food chains, ensuring the normal functioning of biocenosis. In this study, we present data on Hepatozoon incidence in Pelophylax ridibundus (Pallas, 1771) for the first time in Bulgaria. The blood smears of 137 individuals were investigated. In three of five studied localities, the presence of apicomplexan haemoparasite from the genus Hepatozoon was revealed. The indices Infection extensity (IE) and Infection intensity (II) showed different rate of infection in frogs populations inhabiting Chaya river (IE=27.50%; II=10.96%), Tsalapitsa rice fields (IE=6.38; II=9.91%) and nature wetland Zlato pole (IE=10%; II=8.07%). It was found that the gamonts morphology and morphometric parameters of the parasite are closest to Hepatozoon magna, but molecular tools are required to confirm the species determination. Our findings revealed that acridine orange is an appropriate dye for detecting haemoparasites of the gender Hepatozoon. |
