Post by warsaw on Mar 15, 2013 7:24:20 GMT -9
Trichinella sp. in polar bears from Svalbard, in relation
to hide length and age
Larsen, T. & Kjos-Hanssen, B. 1983: Trichinella sp. in polar bears from Svalbard, in relation to hide
length and age. Polar Research 1 n.s., 89-96. Oslo.
Diaphragm and masseter muscles from 376 polar bears ((irsur maririmus), 252 ringed seals (Phocn
hispida), 84 bearded seals (Erignarhus barbarus), and 77 arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus) from Svalbard were
examined for Trichinelln. Infection rates in polar bears varied between 23 and 58%, and between 3 and
67% in arctic fox. None of the seals were infected. Trichrnella in polar bears is probably transferred
through cannibalism and scavenging upon polar bear carcasses. Infection rate in arctic fox was high when
they preyed upon polar bear carcasses before polar bear hunting was prohibited in 1973. A low infection
rate seems more natural when such prey is not available. No difference could be found in infection rate
between male and female polar bears. There is only a slight increase in infectlon rate with age, as calculatcd
from hide lengths, and many adult animals remain uninfectcd. Geographlcal isolation of polar bear
populations may explain differences in Trichinella infection rates between beara from arctic Amcrica and
arctic Europe. Possible explanations are that discrete polar bear populations have different food habita.
or that they are exposed to different Trichinella strains.
Thor Larsen, Norsk Polarinsriturr, Rolfsiangueien 12, 1330 Oslo Lufrhaun, Norway; Bjgrn Kjos-Hanssen.
Tordenskioldsgt. 4, 4000 Stauanger, Norway. March 1983 (reuited May 1983).
www.polarresearch.net/index.php/polar/article/download/6973/7808
to hide length and age
Larsen, T. & Kjos-Hanssen, B. 1983: Trichinella sp. in polar bears from Svalbard, in relation to hide
length and age. Polar Research 1 n.s., 89-96. Oslo.
Diaphragm and masseter muscles from 376 polar bears ((irsur maririmus), 252 ringed seals (Phocn
hispida), 84 bearded seals (Erignarhus barbarus), and 77 arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus) from Svalbard were
examined for Trichinelln. Infection rates in polar bears varied between 23 and 58%, and between 3 and
67% in arctic fox. None of the seals were infected. Trichrnella in polar bears is probably transferred
through cannibalism and scavenging upon polar bear carcasses. Infection rate in arctic fox was high when
they preyed upon polar bear carcasses before polar bear hunting was prohibited in 1973. A low infection
rate seems more natural when such prey is not available. No difference could be found in infection rate
between male and female polar bears. There is only a slight increase in infectlon rate with age, as calculatcd
from hide lengths, and many adult animals remain uninfectcd. Geographlcal isolation of polar bear
populations may explain differences in Trichinella infection rates between beara from arctic Amcrica and
arctic Europe. Possible explanations are that discrete polar bear populations have different food habita.
or that they are exposed to different Trichinella strains.
Thor Larsen, Norsk Polarinsriturr, Rolfsiangueien 12, 1330 Oslo Lufrhaun, Norway; Bjgrn Kjos-Hanssen.
Tordenskioldsgt. 4, 4000 Stauanger, Norway. March 1983 (reuited May 1983).
www.polarresearch.net/index.php/polar/article/download/6973/7808