ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a general overview of the most common parasites of Rangifer. All occur as various life stages in Rangifer, parasitizing virtually every organ system, and their impacts can vary from undetectable to severe disease and death. Gastrointestinal nematodes are well-known causes of production loss in domestic livestock and there is growing evidence that they have impacts on condition and reproduction in Rangifer. Three species infect Rangifer in North America: Parelaphostrongylus andersoni, P. tenuis, and P. odocoilei. Depending on the cestode family, Rangifer are either definitive hosts or intermediate hosts. Rangifer are intermediate hosts for Echinococcus canadensis. Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. are directly transmitted protozoa that are often waterborne, and these are relatively rare parasites in Rangifer. Several blood and tissue protozoa are of importance at the individual and population level for Rangifer. Sarcocystis spp. are common protozoa of Rangifer throughout their range.
