Study of prevalence and morphological features of cestodes in foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in the territory of Kazakhstan

This study aimed to examine the prevalence and morphological features of cestodes in foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in the territory of Kazakhstan. From 2020 to 2024, 53 foxes were analysed using the complete helminthological dissection method by Skrjabin K.I. The detected cestodes were preserved in 70% alcohol, after which their morphology was studied using microscopy and hematoxylin-eosin staining. It was found that 43.3% of the examined foxes were infected with cestodes, represented by three genera: Taenia, Mesocestoides, and Dipylidium. The most common species was Mesocestoides spp. (39.1%), followed by Taenia crassiceps (30.4%), Taenia hydatigena (21.7%), and Dipylidium caninum (8.8%). Morphological studies revealed structural features of the proglottids and reproductive organs in each cestode species. The obtained data allows for assessing the infection level of the fox population with cestodes, which is important for understanding the ecology of parasitic infections in Kazakhstan and developing control measures against them.