Parelaphostrongylus tenuis (Nematoda) and Fascioloides magna (Trematoda) in moose of southeastern Manitoba

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Zoology
• Main Author: Lankester, Murray W.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1974
• Subjects: Animal Science and Zoology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Dougherty; Alces alces
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z74-027; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z74-027

Neurologic disease caused by the meningeal worm, Parelaphostrongylus tenuis (Dougherty 1945), is reported in moose of southeastern Manitoba, where the ranges of moose (Alces alces) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) overlap. Moose of this area are also infected commonly with the large American fiver fluke, Fascioloides magna (Bassi 1875). The moose cannot be considered a suitable host of F. magna since extensive liver damage results from infection, thick-walled cysts are formed, and mature flukes with eggs were not found in moose examined. Trematode eggs were found in liver sections of one animal but were not present in the faeces. It is suggested F. magna may be unable to persist in moose populations in the absence of a more suitable cervid host such as white-tailed deer.