Structure of the helminth fauna of toads (Amphibia: Bufonidfae) in the Republic of Moldova

This scientific paper reflects data on the determination of the diversity of the helminth fauna in the anuran amphibian Bufo bufo Linnaeus, 1758 and Bufo viridis Laurenti, 1768 species, of the Bufonidae family, as well as their role as biological indicators of the ecosystems populated by them. The helminthological researches of amphibians were carried out during 2013-2024 in the Laboratory of Parasitology and Helminthology of the Institute of Zoology of the State University of Moldova. Amphibians were assessed from different types of natural and anthropized, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and as a result of helminthological investigations carried out in different types of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, as well as according to the main phenological phases of the host species, the presence of 22 helminth species was established, of which trematodes – 11 species, nematodes – 7 species, acanthocephalans – 3 species and monogeneans one species. The helminthological surveys were carried out according to the age structure of the host, habitat type and geographical area. The bioindicator significance of established helminth species was presented for an ecological assessment of the studied area.