Experimental infection of reindeer with Elaphostrongylus (Nematoda; Protostrongylidae) originating from reindeer, red deer, and moose

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Zoology
• Main Authors: Halvorsen, Odd, Skorping, Arne, Bye, Karstein
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1989
• Subjects: Animal Science and Zoology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Alces alces; Rangifer tarandus
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z89-173; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z89-173

To test the hypothesis that palearctic cervids are infected with several species of Elaphostrongylus, reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) calves were inoculated with third-stage larvae grown in Arianta arbustorum from first-stage larvae extracted from reindeer, red deer (Cervus elaphus atlanticus), and moose (Alces alces) feces. None of the five reindeer calves inoculated with larvae from red deer and none of the three reindeer calves inoculated with larvae from moose became infected. Twelve of the 14 reindeer calves inoculated with larvae from reindeer became infected. Infection was demonstrated by finding first-stage larvae in the feces and (or) by finding worms at necropsy. These results suggest that several species of Elaphostrongylus parasitize palearctic cervids. In view of our results and the need for further taxonomic work on the group, it is argued that the names Elaphostrongylus cervi and Elaphostrongylus rangiferi should be reserved for worms from red deer and reindeer, respectively. Worms from moose may belong to an undescribed species.