Dependence of the incidence of diseases in wild artiodactyls on their population density

摘要

Investigations carried out in the Kursk, Belgorod, and Voronezh Oblasts and data of the "Chronicles of Nature" of the Central Chernozem, Voronezh, and Khoper nature reserves showed that the general morbidity rate steadily increased with increasing population density of moose, roe deer, and wild boar. Its most characteristic manifestation in representatives of the deer family (Cervidae) are degeneration of antlers and deterioration of conformation indices. In all representatives of wild ungulates there was a pronounced regular increase of the degree of infection of adults and current year's offspring by round- and flatworms with increase of their population density.