Diversity and Distribution of Helminths in Wild Ruminants of the Russian Arctic: Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), Muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus), and Snow Sheep (Ovis nivicola)

The Russian Arctic supports wild sympatric ruminants and their data-deficient helminths. In this study, we: (1) collected fecal samples of semiwild reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus), snow sheep (Ovis nivicola) across Palearctic North territories: Arkhangelsk Oblast (including Novaya Zemlya archipelago), Karelia Sakha Republics, Kola, Yamal, Taimyr, Chukotka Peninsulas, Bering, Svalbard, Wrangel Islands; (2) conducted a coprological survey (noninvasive life-time method preferable for protected animals) to obtain eggs larvae helminths inhabiting digestive, respiratory, nervous, muscular systems; (3) identified according morphology DNA sequences; (4) estimated parasite load per host; (5) analyzed our findings. Varestrongylus eleguneniensis (in reindeer) was reported the first time, while Orthostrongylus sp. both R. tarandus time. Capillarid-type were question role as vectors rotifers raised.