title: [Structure of parasitic arthropod communities in forest small mammals].
abstract: Species composition and structure of ectoparasite arthropod communities were examined all year round six years in the bank vole Clethrionomys glareolus, Ural wood mouse Apodemus uralensis and the common shrew Sorex araneus in forests of the Ilmen'-Volkhov depression. In total, 4500 host samples have been examined and all ectoparasites have been collected. The species composition of ectoparasite community in small mammal species are as follows: the bank vole--29 insect, tick and mite species, the common shrew--23 species, the Ural wood mouse--16 species. In forest biotopes, many temporary ectoparasitic species occur on several host species living in the same habitats under a forest canopy and contacting each other. A parasitic supracommunity in the ecosystem examined has a pool of temporary ectoparasites, which is available for all the community of small mammals. A role of different rodent and shrew species are hosts of insects and ticks changes depending on a density of potential host populations and numerous other environment factors.
authors.forename: Iu S
authors.initials: IuS
authors.lastname: Balashov
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001181:Arthropods / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development; D003411:Arvicolinae / Q000469:parasitology; D017753:Ecosystem; D005260:Female; D007300:Insect Control; D007313:Insecta; D007814:Larva; D008925:Mites; D009115:Muridae / Q000469:parasitology; D009758:Nymph; D011156:Population Density; D012377:Rodentia / Q000469:parasitology*; D012426:Russia; D013045:Species Specificity; D013983:Tick Control; D013987:Ticks