TRICHINELLA INFECTIONS IN ARCTIC FOXES FROM GREENLAND - STUDIES AND REFLECTIONS ON PREDILECTION SITES OF MUSCLE LARVAE

Studies were carried out to determine the predilection sites of Trichi nella nativa muscle larvae in arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus) caught in Greenland. The highest number of larvae per gram of tissue was found i n the muscles of the eyes and the legs. With regard to predilection si tes no significant differences were demonstrated either between age gr oups or between foxes with high and low total parasite burdens. Predil ection sites were comparable with those recorded earlier in experiment ally infected caged foxes and in other carnivorous species. Hypotheses on predilection sites of Trichinella muscle larvae are discussed.