Elaphostrongylus sp. (Nematoda, Protostrongylidae) and other helminths in faeces of moose (Alces alces (L.) in North Norway

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Odd Halvorsen
Katharina Wissler

Abstract

Faecal samples collected from 103 moose (Alces alces) in Troms and Finnmark counties during the hunting season of September - October 1975 were examined. The faeces of all moose older than one year contained eggs or larvae of gastro-intestinal nematodes. In addition, gastro-intestinal nematodes were found in the faeces of one of the three moose calves examined. Digenean eggs, probably of Paramphistornum cervi, were found in 10 per cent of the faecal samples from moose older than one year. First stage larvae of Elaphostrongylus sp. were found in 26 (25 %) of the faecal samples, but such larvae were not found in the 3 calves. Relatively more moose from Troms county than from Finnmark county had larvae of Elaphostrongylus in their faeces, but the opposite trend was observed for eggs of trematodes. Both the prevalence and mean l.p.g. of Elaphostrongylus larvae were lower in faecal samples from moose than in samples from reindeer occurring in the same area. Small intestines, livers, lungs and brains of a small number of moose collected in Troms during the 1976 hunting season were also examined. Nematodirella alcidis and Trichostrongylus capricola were found in all of the 8 small intestines examined. Dictyocaulus viviparus was found in 1 of 10 lungs examined, but none of 10 livers and 3 brains were infected with helminths.

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How to Cite
Halvorsen, O., & Wissler, K. (1983). Elaphostrongylus sp. (Nematoda, Protostrongylidae) and other helminths in faeces of moose (Alces alces (L.) in North Norway. Fauna Norvegica, 4, 37-40. https://doi.org/10.5324/fn.v4i0.6134
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