The distribution, genetic diversity and helminths of alien mammal muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus)

• Main Author: Skyrienė, Gintarė
• Other Authors: Paulauskas, Algimantas
• Format: Doctoral or Postdoctoral Thesis
• Language: Lithuanian; English
• Published: Institutional Repository of Vytautas Magnus University 2019
• Subjects: muskrat; distribution; genetics; helminths; impact; karelia*
• Online Access: https://vb.vdu.lt/VDU:ELABAETD2182642&prefLang=en_US

The muskrat is an alien semi-aquatic mammal which was introduced to various regions around the world from North America. The aim of the study – to investigate the distribution, genetic diversity and helminths of alien mammal muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus). The evaluated distribution and the abundance of muskrats showed that it are not the same, very varying in different years and falling significantly in the various water bodies in Lithuania. Therefore, the impact of muskrats on native species and communities, habitats and ecosystems are insignificant and localized. Until now, the attention to the genetic structure of this invasive animal was very little. The genetic analysis and genetic diversity of the population of muskrats was assessed for the first time in Lithuania. The genetic diversity was studied using the microsatellite DNA markers. This allowed for the evaluation that the genetic diversity was lower in Lithuania than Karelia (Russia) or native Canadian populations of muskrat. After the evaluation of helminthological analysis were determined that the muskrat has lost American origin parasites after the period of acclimatization. The comparison of the helminth community structure and infection rates of muskrat were determined that it were higher in the highest numerosity of muskrat’s abundance (in 1973-1975) to comparing the period than it significantly reduced (in 2001-2014). Investigated number of muskrats suggests that the helminthological impact of muskrat to humans and the environment is low.