HELMINTH EGGS FROM PACHYCROCUTA BREVIROSTRIS (CARNIVORA, HYAENIDAE) COPROLITES FROM TAURIDA CAVE (EARLY PLEISTOCENE, CRIMEA)

Twenty-seven Pachycrocuta brevirostris coprolites from Taurida Cave (Early Pleistocene) were studied. Eggs of parasitic worms were found in 6 of them (22.2%). Eggs of Trematoda species were identified among them, as were eggs of Taenia, Toxocara, and Capillaria. Toxocara eggs were the most common; they were found in 15% of the coprolites. This is the earliest evidence of P. brevirostris infection by these groups of helminths.