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Geographic variation of female and male of Ixodes ricinus (L., 1758) in the eastern part of its distribution range has been described earlier (Filippova, Panova, 1997). 330 larvae in 13 localities have been studied (fig. 1): seven localities are the same as for females and males (their symbols are retained in figures 1—5). 280 nymphs in 10 localities have been studied: six localities are the same as for adults, three ones correspond to those added for larva. The multidimensional scaling method by means of software packege SYSTAT was used for the assessment of relationships between samples (localities) on the basis of morhpometrical characters (fig. 3, 5). The sizes of organs of larva of I. ricinus do not show dependence on future sex, but the sizes of many organs of female- and male-nymphs differ statistically. The ratio of sexes of I. ricinus in nature is nearly 1:1, therefore the data base of morphometrical characters of nymphal stage correspond to aggregate (female+male) data base of morphometrical characters of imaginal stage. For statistical estimation of differentation between geographic localities 0.05 was taken as level of significance of confidence interval. The results of the multidimensional scaling correspond to the number of statistically significant differences in samples. As a result of comparision of these data the following large territories have been separated: the Russian Plain (A—С, I, H), western slopes of the East Carpatian Mountains (D), the Crimea (J), northern macroslope of the Great Caucasus (E, F, K, L), northern slopes of the Talysh and Elburs Mountains (G, M). The groups of populations, which inhabit each of these territories, show statistically significant differences on each stage of ontogenesis. The larval stage has the largest number of differential characters. As a rule, there is a tendency in sizes of organs common for all stages: they are maximal (Talysh, Elburs), middle (the Russian Plain), minimal (northern macroslope of the Great Caucasus). But this tendency in sizes of stages of ontogenesis in western slopes of the East Carpatian Mountains is not stable: larva has maximal sizes of organs, nymph — nearly middle ones, and imago — nearly minimal ones. There is no pronounced clinal geographic variation of I. ricinus in the eastern part of its distribution range. This may be the result of compound the relief of studied area. The research was supported by the Russian Fund of Fundamental Investigations (Grant 97-04-50094, P.I. Dr. N. A. Filippova) and in part by FIRCA, USA (Grant 1 R03-TW0027-01A1, P.I. Dr. J. H. Oliver).

On 11 species of small mammals collected in the parks and ruderal areas of Moscow in 1964—1991, 35 species of mites were revealed. Among them 23 species were parasitic. Laelaps hilaris, Haemogamasus nidi, and Androlaelaps glasgowi were predominant. The mite species diversity on small mammals in Moscow is similar to that in natural environments. The epidemiological and epizootological significance of revealed species of mites is discussed. The rat mite Ornithonyssus bacoti has the major medical importance as the pathogen of the rat mite dermatitis in Moscow and as a vector of transmissive diseases. According to literature and the data obtained the favorable conditions for maintenance of transmissive diseases reservours exist permanently in Moscow.

The fauna and landscape distribution of the fleas associated with small mammals in the Middle Siberia are analysed.

The cestode species of the genus Proteocephalus are revealed from the European smelt Osmerus eperlanus in the Baltic Sea basin: a specific smelt parasite Proteocephalus longicollis (Zeder, 1800), white fish parasite P. exiguus La Rue, 1911, and perch parasite P. percae (Muller, 1870). The European smelt is a facultative host for two latter species. P. tetrastomus (Rud, 1810) is transferred to the synonyms of P. longicollis.

The validity of the name Monocercus arionis (Siebold, 1850) for the cestode of shrews of the Palaearctic region, Molluscotaenia crassiscolex (Linstov, 1890) is proved. The genus Molluscotaenia Spassky et Andrejko, 1971 is reduced to the junior synonim of the genus Monocercus Villot, 1882. A comparative analysis of structure and development of cestode cysticercoids of the genus Monocercus is given. They differ from morphologically similar larvocysts of Dilepididae (cryptocercus, polycercus) by the absence of the cercomer. A priority of the term monocercus is preserved for this morpho-ecological type of metacestodes.

A development of the Hysterothylacium aduncum from an egg stage to third larval stage was studied in laboratory conditions. An intermedial host Jaera albifrons (Crustacea: Isopoda) was artificially infected with H. aduncum to study earlier stages of parasite's life cycle. It was observed, that the parasites migrated within the isopod host from the intestine to haemocoel and later to muscles, where after 9—12 days they began to molt.

Data on a parasite fauna of 6 carp fish species of the subfamily Cultrinae from the Khanka Lake basin are given. 71 parasite species have been found. An analysis of parasite fauna components of some host species is given.

Analysis of parasite fauna of migrant and settled (freshwater) forms of salmons Salmo salar and S. trutta is carried out. A distribution and biology of the monogenean Gyrodactylus salaris is discussed.

Fine structure of males and females of Intoshia linei (Orthonectida) is described. The ciliated and contractile cells have identical structure in both sexes. The cuticle covering the body consists of two layers. A bundle of fibrils is present within the ciliated cells. This bundle is parallel to the apical cell surface. The fibrills are arranged in a ring in each transversal ring of ciliated cells. The contractile ^brils in the muscle-like "contractile" cells are located in a periphery.

Blastocystis galli, B. anatis and B. suis survived in faeces at 22 ± 2° for 6 hours, at 4 ± 2° for 8 hours: at 18 ± 2° for 10—12 hours, at 4 ± 2° for 18—19 hours in resected intestine; at 4 ± 2° from 6 to 15 days in biphase egg medium.

The mosquitos collected in the Smolensk and Kaluga regions in 1985 by the expedition team of the D. I. Ivanovsky Institute of Virusology were identified by V. N. Danilov in 1986. Among the females of mosquitos collected in the Smolensk region four genera and 16 species were recorded; two genera (Culiseta, Mansonia) and 9 species were new ones for this region. Taking in account the reference data (excluding Anopheles hircanus and Aedes behningi, the presence of which here is doubtful) there 22 species of mosquitos of five genera (Anopheles — 3, Aedes — 16, Mansonia, Culiseta, Culex — one of each) are recently known in the Smolensk region. Among the females of mosquitos collected in the Kaluga region, two genera and 8 species were found including one genus (Mansonia) and three species being a new ones for this region. Together with the reference data, there 17 species of mosquitos of four genera (Anopheles — 2, Aedes — 13, Mansonia, Culex — one of each) are known now for the Kaluga region.

Eimeria cottunculusi sp. n. (Eucoccidiida: Eimeriidae) is described from Cottunculus sp. (Scorpaeniformes: Psychrolutidae) captured near the coast of the Hokkaido Island.

The monogenean Bothitrema cotti Ermolenko et Lukyanchenko, 1988 (Tetraonchidea: Bothitrematidae) found on gills and fins of the spotted sculpin Cottus poecilopus poecilopus in two rivers of the North and South of the Russian Far East is redescribed. The mature worms are found and described for the first time. The new data on a geographical range of this worm in the region, location on a fish, periods of infection and appearance of the mature worms with eggs are given.