ON THE HELMINTHIC FAUNA OF THE RED FOX (V ULPES-VULPES L) IN SOUTHERNLOWER SAXONY .2. CESTODES

From November 1991 to March 1992 426 red foxes were investigated for c estode infection. The foxes originated from the following counties: Go ttingen, Northeim, Osterode Hart, Holzminden, Hameln-Pyrmont, Hildeshe im and Schaumburg. 31.0% of the animals were less than one year old, 6 4.1% were older. In 4.9% of the cases an age determination was nor pos sible. The proportion of males and females respectively was 53.1% and 45.5%. The sex of 1.4% of the animals could not be determined. 36.9% o f the investigated foxes were infected with Echinococcus multiloculari s. The majority of these were only singly infected (1-10 specimens) or exhibited a very low rare of infection (11-100 specimens) with this s pecies. The study clearly indicated that the little fox tapeworm was l ess prevalent in the northern counties evaluated. Other Taeniidae were found among 35.9% of the foxes and Mesocetoides spp. among 32.4% of t he investigated animals.