ON THE HELMINTHIC FAUNA OF THE RED FOX (V ULPES-VULPES L) IN SOUTHERNLOWER SAXONY .1. NEMATODES AND TREMATODES

From November 1991 to March 1992 400 red foxes were examined for the p resence of nematodes and trematodes. The foxes came from the districts of Gottingen, Osterode, Northeim, Holzminden, Hildesheim, Hameln-Pyrm ont, and Schaumburg. The intestinal tract, gall bladder, urinary bladd er, and the muscles of all animals were investigated as were 72 lungs and 3 embryos. 37.6% of the foxes were less than 1 year old, and 62.4% were older. 52.4% of all foxes were male, and 47.6% were female. Capi llaria plica was found in 98.3% of the urinary bladders examined and C apillaria aerophila occurred in 77.8% of the lungs. 56.5% of the foxes were infected with Toxocara 'canis, 13% with Uncinaria stenocephala 5 .5% with Crenosoma vulpis, and 4.5% with Toxascaris leonina. Larvae of Trichinella spiralis could not be demonstrated in any of the foxes. I n the muscles, however, larvae of ankylostomides and Toxocara canis we re found. One embryo also had a larvae of Toxocara canis. Trematode in fections were evident in the gall bladder fluid. Regional concentratio ns of the various parasite infestations were not apparent for most of the species investigated. Only Toxascaris leonina occurred much more f requently in the district of Osterode. The high rates of Capillaria pl ica and Capillaria aerophila infestations as well as the lack of a cor relation of these infections with age demonstrate a low immunity again st these parasites.