Summary

The purpose of this project is to further understand the life history and transmission dynamics of Ostertagia gruehneri, a pathogenic abomasal (stomach) nematode of caribou. In partnership with CARMA and Environment and Natural Resources, Government of the Northwest Territories, measures of body condition and gastrointestinal tracts and feces were obtained from harvested Bathurst caribou during spring and fall scientific collections near Mackay Lake and Beaver Lodge Lake, NT.

We are planning to have all data collected by the end of 2010 and a final report mid-2011. No interim reports have been compiled.

Abomasa were frozen and later analyzed for adult and larval stage nematodes by washing and then digesting the abomasa.

To date, abomasa collected from the Bathurst herd during the four sampling periods have all been processed and parasite samples collected. We are now quantifying the number of adult and larval parasites recovered from each abomasa and will begin to identify the samples to species level at the end of May 2010. We will be using a combination of morphological and molecular techniques to identify the worms.

These data are being used to determine the life history strategies, effects, and transmission dynamics of Ostertagia gruehneri in barren-ground caribou.

Bryanne Hoar
Graduate Student
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
University of Calgary
3330 Hospital Dr NW
Calgary, AB, Canada  T2N 4N1
E: bmhoar 'at' ucalgary.ca
Tel: 403-210-7862  

Susan Kutz
Associate Professor
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
University of Calgary
3330 Hospital Dr NW
Calgary, AB, Canada  T2N 4N1
E: skutz 'at' ucalgary.ca
Tel: 403-210-7862