The helminth fauna of the species of the genus Microtus (Cricetidae: Rodentia) which distribute in Antalya and the vicinity of Antalya

The helminth fauna of Microtus guentheri (n=18), M. levis (n=18) and M. anatolicus (n=18) individuals distribute in Antalya and in the vicinity of Antalya were investigated between July 2016 and February 2018. As a result of this investigation, Heligmosomum costellatum, Arostrilepis horrida and Hymenolepis diminuta were found in the small intestine, Syphacia obvelata and Aspiculuris tetraptera in the large intestine, Gongylonema neoplasticum and Eucoleus bacillatus in the stomach wall and the Taenia taeniaeformis larvae on the surface of the liver. The individuals of H. costellatum were also detected in the fundus part of the stomach. The only one T. taeniaeformis larvae was found in one individual of M. anatolicus, 6 H. diminuta individuals were detected in only one M. guentheri and E. bacillatus individuals were found in 3 M. guentheri individuals and these helminth species weren't detected in the other Microtus species. In this study, 47 of 54 dissected Microtus samples were infected and totally 1166 helminth samples were detected. M guentheri was identified as a species which has the most species diversity and density while M. anatolicus as a species which has the least species diversity and density in the scope of helminth infection. A. horrida, H. diminuta, S. obvelata, A. tetraptera, G. neoplasticum, E. bacillatus and T. taeniaeformis species were firstly recorded for the species of the genus Microtus in Turkey and all the helminth species presented in this study were first records for the species of the genus Microtus distribute in Antalya and in the vicinity of Antalya. Furthermore the helminth species of the species M. anatolicus and M. levis which are endemic to our country weren't investigated before and the helminth species we found in this study are the first records throughout the world.