Abstract
Warble fly larvae (Oedemagena tarandi) occurred in 97-100% of barren-ground caribou (R.t. groen-landicus) sampled in March from the Beverly herd. In December, they occurred in 98% of males and 75% of females. Larvae numbers increased up to several-fold from December to March. Within age classes, males generally were more heavily infected than females. Annual differences were small. Larvae occurred in 14 and 26% of two populations of Peary caribou (Rangifer tarandus pearyi) on the Canadian Arctic Islands. In them, incidences of larvae were unrelated to sex or age. Greater than average numbers of larvae in barren-ground caribou sometimes were associated with females in relatively poor condition and therefore less fecund. These results are discussed in relation to current hypotheses of the factors that affect warble infections.
Highlights
Data are scarce on the infestation levels o f warble parasites in caribou in northern Canada
The results indicated higher condition indices in females > 2 and > 3 years old with fewer than the mean number o f warble larvae (Table 3)
A definite relationship was demonstrated between numbers o f warble larvae and condition variables in adult (>2 years), female barrenground caribou
Summary
Data are scarce on the infestation levels o f warble parasites in caribou in northern Canada. Kelsall (1975) reported frequencies and numbers o f scars and holes in 312 museum hides o f caribou obtained throughout Canada. The only other data for barren-ground caribou in north-central Canada were for 132 specimens from various seasons and herds (Kelsall, 1968), including Banfield's (1954) data. Several reasons were advanced to explain differences in infection levels among caribou herds and age classes and between the sexes. T h e purpose o f this paper is to: (1) examine the effects o f latitude, year, season, age, and sex on larval frequencies and numbers in a sample of 1 377 caribou; (2) explore relationships between infestation levels and fat reserves and fecundity; and (3) discuss the factors influencing the infestation levels.
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