Fur loss syndrome and lice infestations observed on Arctic foxes in central Nunavut, Canada

Abstract

As temperatures in the circumpolar north continue to warm, shifts in species distribution and the breakdown of environmental barriers for arthropods may impact the diversity and distribution of ectoparasites in Arctic ecosystems. In May 2019, fur loss over the neck and shoulders was observed on arctic foxes in a terrestrial arctic ecosystem (Karrak Lake) in central Nunavut, Canada. This was inconsistent with normal patterns of shedding winter fur and had not been observed on arctic foxes in this population over the previous 19 years of live-trapping. Operculated eggs attached to hair shafts were collected from one affected fox. Conventional PCR using universal louse primers targeting conserved regions of mitochondrial 12S and 16S rDNA confirmed that the eggs belonged to the order Phthiraptera. Sequencing results were inconclusive at the species level. Further investigation revealed a single unpublished report of an arctic fox with similar fur loss trapped on mainland Nunavut, in 1997. Adult lice collected from this fox were identified as sucking lice (potentially from the genus Linognathus). Our findings emphasize the need for further monitoring and have significant implications for trappers and wildlife management, as infestations negatively impact the pelt quality of these important furbearers.

A circumpolar parasite: Evidence of a cryptic undescribed species of sucking louse, Linognathus sp., collected from Arctic foxes, Vulpes lagopus, in Nunavut (Canada) and Svalbard (Norway)

“…Nunavut was most often documented on younger animals and on the neck and shoulders, consistent with what is expected during L. setosus infestations (Figure 1; Buhler et al, 2021). Similar manifestations of disease commonly seen with dogs may be observed on Arctic foxes that are infested with sucking lice.…”

“…They are transmitted via close contact with infected hosts, so the origin of the host-switching event for Arctic fox lice likely resulted during interactions with other canids. Though sucking lice had been partially identified via morphology on Arctic foxes from the mainland of Nunavut in 1997, no molecular or morphological comparison to L. setosus had been done to characterise these lice (Buhler et al, 2021).…”

“…During the spring of 2019, fur loss was documented on Arctic foxes from the mainland of Nunavut (Canada) that deviated from normal moulting, including loss of guard hairs over the neck and shoulders (Figure 1; Buhler et al, 2021). Fur loss on these regions along with the presence of louse eggs on a fox with fur loss suggests that this may be the result of louse infestations (Buhler et al, 2021).…”

“…Though lice were found on Arctic foxes in Nunavut during the 1990's (Buhler et al, 2021), observations of abnormal fur loss and lice infestations have increased significantly in Canada over the past few years.…”

“…This species is well adapted to high Arctic tundra ecosystems and has a seasonally dimorphic coat. The thick winter coat begins to shed in the spring, with initial fur loss occurring on the legs, face, and sacral region (Buhler et al, 2021). Environmental variability is likely to have a significant effect on Arctic fox populations, including increased competition in the face of range expansion of southern species such as red fox ( Vulpes vulpes ) and selective pressures as Arctic rodent population cycles become more unstable (Fuglei & Ims, 2008; Gilg et al, 2009; Ims et al, 2008).…”