Discovery of Spirocerca SP. (Nematoda: Spipuridae) in Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus semenovi Ognev, 1931) on Medny Island (Commander Islands)
https://doi.org/10.52419/issn2072-2419.2025.1.121
Abstract
The article presents the results of the pathological examination of the corpse of an arctic fox delivered from Copper Island (Commander Islands). Due to the sharp depression of the unique population of the Mednovsky (commander) Arctic fox – the only predator of Medny Island and the key element of the local ecosystem, the preservation of this subspecies is an urgent task for researchers. Parasitic diseases are widespread in arctic foxes and researchers consider arctic fox helminthiasis as one of the possible limiting factors in population depression. In this connection, the purpose of our study was to analyze pathological changes in organs and tissues, including parasitological research, which entailed the cause of death of the animal. The work was carried out at the departments of pathological anatomy and forensic veterinary medicine, pathological physiology and parasitology named after V.L. Yakimov FSBEI HE SPbGUVM. According to the results of the postmortem autopsy of the animal, signs of alimentary dystrophy, as well as acute catarrhal erosive gastritis with hemorrhage to the stomach cavity were found. According to the results of parasitological research, 11 adult nematodes of red color, 40–60 mm long, were found in the tumor-like granuloma of the gastric wall and in its cavity. Morphological data and localization of nematodes gave reason to identify them up to the river. Spirocerca. Previously, about the finds of helminths p. Spirocerca in arctic foxes Copper Island did not communicate.
About the Authors
N. A. Gavrilova
St. Petersburg State University of Veterinary Medicine
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
N.A. Gavrilova – Dr. Veterinarian Sciences, Prof., Prof. of the Department parasitology named after V.L. Yakimov
V. N. Gaponova
St. Petersburg State University of Veterinary Medicine
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Gaponova V.N. – Candidate of Veterinarian Sciences, Associate professor of the Department of Pathophysiology
D. E. Levterov
St. Petersburg State University of Veterinary Medicine
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Levterоv D.E. – Candidate of Veterinarian Sciences, Associate professor of
the Department of Pathological Anatomy and Forensic Veterinary Medicine
E. G. Mamaev
FSBI National Park "Commander Islands" named after S.V. Marakov»
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Mamaev E.G. – Candidate of Biological Sciences, Deputy Director. according to scientific. work
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For citations:
Gavrilova N.A., Gaponova V.N., Levterov D.E., Mamaev E.G. Discovery of Spirocerca SP. (Nematoda: Spipuridae) in Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus semenovi Ognev, 1931) on Medny Island (Commander Islands). International Journal of Veterinary Medicine. 2025;(1):121-128. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.52419/issn2072-2419.2025.1.121
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