Besnoitia tarandi is a protozoan parasite known to occur in caribou and reindeer. It is believed that this parasite has a two-host life cycle of which caribou are the intermediate host. Carnivores and biting arthropods have been respectively suggested as potential definitive hosts and vectors of besnoitiosis.

Typical lesions caused by B. tarandi in caribou include hair loss with irregular areas of thickened and crusty skin. Skin ulcers can also be present, especially on the scrotal sac. Parasitic cysts, approximately 0.5 mm in diameter, can be observed on the sclera and in the subcutaneous tissues, especially on the limbs. Numerous protozoan organisms with a typical morphology can be detected by histopathological examination in different tissues such as skin, testes and lungs.

This project takes advantage of CARMA-IPY field collections across a number of herds, to determine present prevalance and intensity of besnoitiosis in North America caribou herds.

 All data has been analyzed and papers are in progress.

 See Reports tab for links to poster and MSc thesis.