Helminth fauna in roe deer ( Linnaeus, 1758) in the province of Grosseto (central Italy).

Helminth infection was analysed at necropsy and coprology in a total of 54 roe deer from the province of Grosseto (central Italy) between 2018 - 2020. Age and sex data were recorded for each deer for a total of 31 adults (23 females, 8 males) and 23 juveniles (11 females, 12 males). The results on the small intestine (51 samples) highlighted that nematodes belonging to the species were the most prevalent parasite (41.2 %), followed by the cestode (7.8 %). The large intestine results (52 samples) showed spp. (53.8 %), (50 %) and (26.9 %). In the abomasum, only (17.9 %) was found. Of the 34 samples analysed by bronchopulmonary, only the lung of an adult female was positive for spp. In two livers out of 33 samples analysed, nematodes of the species were found on the surface. Copropositivity was observed in 45 of the 52 faecal samples analysed. The results of the present study indicate that the roe deer is host to several species of parasites, which are also common in other cervids and domestic ruminants. Statistical testing highlighted a significant difference between mean intensities in males and females.