A Coprological Study of Endoparasites in the Icelandic Arctic Fox using Traditional and Molecular Methods

2018 dissertation for MRes. The Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) is the only land mammal native to the remote island of Iceland, which has a history of contending with endemic parasites in canines. This dissertation utilises fox carcasses from storage at the Icelandic Institute of Natural History to survey endoparasitic fauna, and comments on the suitability of traditional and molecular methods for the identification of endoparasite species and estimation of egg burden.

A total of 129 Arctic fox carcasses were analysed using traditional microscopy (Apacor Mini Parasep®) and molecular techniques (real-time PCR). Examination revealed 66.9% (n=77) of foxes had an endoparasitic infection; Capillaria aerophila 6.9% (n=8), Diphyllobothrium latum 6.9% (n=8), Toxascaris leonina 36.4% (n=41), Toxocara canis 9.3% (n=12), Toxoplasma gondii 4.7% (n=6), Eimeria or Isospora 1.6% (n=2), and Cryptocotyle lingua 0.8% (n=1). All samples positive by PCR were detected by microscopy.

The dissertation suggests that coprological analysis of frozen faeces using bright-field microscopy and real-time PCR for the detection of parasites in wild Arctic fox populations in Iceland can be achieved despite DNA degradation, interference with PCR inhibitors, and poor sample quality.