Differences in parasite diversity, prevalence, and intensity assessed through analyses of fecal samples from two West Greenland caribou populations.

Abstract

32 (1), 2012 This journal is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License Editor in Chief: Birgitta Ahman, Technical Editor Eva Wiklund and Graphic Design: Bertil Larsson, www.rangifer.no Introduction Many northern communities depend on caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus) as a dietary staple and for their contributions to northern economies and cultures. In Rangifer sp., experimental removal of gastrointestinal helminth parasites has been associated with increased fat reserves and pregnancy rates, and it is generally accepted that the e"ects of these parasites on individuals can in#uence population dynamics and herd sustainability (Albon et al., 2002; Stien et al., 2002).