Helminth Fauna of Shrews (Sorex spp.) in Lithuania

The helminth fauna and helminth infection in two species of Sorex shrews (S. Araneus and S. Minutus) were studied in various parts of Lithuania. Altogether 34 species of helminths, representing trematodes (5 species), cestodes (15) and nematodes (14), were recorded. The overall prevalence of infection of the common shrew (S. Araneus) was 92.1% and that of the pigmy shrew (S. Minutus) was 91.1%. Most shrews were infected with cestodes (82.0% in S. araneus and 81.3% in S. Minutus) and nematodes (83.9% and 85.4%, respectively), fewer with trematodes (21.1% and 6.3%, respectively). The total number of helminth species and the number of species per host were higher in S. Araneus. High prevalence of infection in shrews shows that these animals play a significant role in spreading of helminth species, especially cestodes and nematodes. Moreover, they are paratenic hosts of parasites of other animals, which are important to farming.