Parasitic Fauna of Lepus europaeus and Lepus timidus in Kazakhstan: Parasitological Profile and Molecular Identification
Journal: Biology
Year: 2025

Hares (<i>Lepus europaeus</i> and <i>Lepus timidus</i>) play important ecological and economic roles in Kazakhstan; however, data on their parasitic fauna are scarce. This study aimed to assess the diversity, prevalence, and genetic characteristics of endoparasites in wild hare populations from central and northern Kazakhstan. From November 2022 to February 2025, 107 hares (<i>L. europaeus</i>, n = 46; <i>L. timidus</i>, n = 61) were collected in the Akmola and Karaganda regions. Parasitological