Parasite adaptations to hibernation in Alpine marmots (Marmota marmota)

There are three helminths common to Alpine marmots, Ctenotaenia marmotae, A scaris laevis and Citellina alpina. The marmot's intestine greatly atrophie s during hibernation and the parasites must either avoid or cope with the s tress of hibernation. Ctenotaenia marmotae leaves the small intestine and w inters in its intermediate host; Ascaris laevis is either expulsed from the intestine in it:, adult form and lays eggs on the soil or the larval stage migrates to the liver tissue where it experiences a "diapause" phenomenon; Citellina alpina is able to remain in its host during hibernation and we h ave termed this host/parasite relationship, "Co-Hibernation".